MUSIC

McGonigel's Mucky Duck presents Steve Poltz and Peter Case. 

Steve Poltz - (pictured) His rich and colorful legacy is the stuff of legend, but it is his distinctive style of songwriting that has caused the world to offer up its stages, clubs, and alleys. Poltz’ sound is entirely unique- from his inhuman fingerstyle techniques to the inimitable melodies that roll from his guitar like cool waterfalls, you know a Poltz song as soon as you hear it. To see Steve to perform live is one of the most entertaining shows a human could ever see. Frenzied, aggressive, hilarious, and heartbreakingly sincere, his live performances have become bona fide events, with sub-cultures popping up all over the globe to entice him to come and tour. As relentless as he is in concert, he is also the guy who famously co-wrote the timeless ballad “You Were Meant For Me” with platinum-selling songwriter Jewel.

Of course, because we’re talking about Steve Poltz, it should surprise no one to learn that the song was written on a lazy Mexican beach, where Poltz and Jewel were soon snapped up and sequestered by Mexican Federales and required to witness and eventually assist in a large marijuana bust on the beach. Don’t believe it? See for yourself in the pictures on his web site. Poltz, an ex high school wrestler (98 pound class), is also an obsessive baseball fan, a die-hard yoga practitioner, a hopeless romantic, a smart-ass philosopher and a child-like adventurer with an absurdist’s view of the planet and all of its curious life forms.

Music fans have adored him since he first fronted the hallowed punk-folk legends, The Rugburns, whose live shows earned the band a following that is best described somewhere between the terms “cult” and “crazed substance-abusing fanatics.” Once touring over 300 days a year, the Rugburns occasionally reunite for wildly popular sold-out shows.

Poltz’ solo body of work is an impressive collection of ballads, rockers and uniquely melodic acoustic numbers that reflect his incomparable style of alternate tunings and savage finger picking techniques. Guitar geeks fall prostrate at his feet trying vainly to learn how to play his stunningly gorgeous and deceptively complex songs. To see him play guitar is a visual feast so frenetic that close proximity to his playing exposes one to risk of seizure.

Peter Case is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer, a mighty fine guitarist and a well-reviewed published author and yet, he’s most at home on the stage. For 25 years, Peter, his guitar and his songs have mesmerized audiences from coast to coast, whether holding down a festival crowd, warming up the place for luminaries like Jackson Browne and John Prine or headlining his own nightclub shows— of which he can claimed to have logged thousands.

As leader of the Plimsouls, and as a member of the groundbreaking punk era trio the Nerves and duo the Breakaways, Case earned his four stars and candy stripes a long time ago, while new generations continue to discover his unique amalgam of sound (2010 saw successful reisussues on all three bands). His songs have been featured on the hit TV series True Blood, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood.

Playing a blend of soulful blend of vintage rock ’n’ roll and soul, the blues, traditional and modern folk, a lot of music has flowed into his style. He remains an original folk-blues troubadour. He’s passionate about writing songs and connecting to real audiences, no matter the size. He regularly tours The United States of America, Canada, The United Kingdonm, and Europe, and his hardcore fans everywhere bring a deep connection to the songs and to the artist.

Peter Case’s songs have been recorded by: James McMurtey, Dave Alvin, Chris Smither, Alejandro Escovedo, Robert Earle Keen, Hayes Carll, The Flaming Groovies, The Goo Goo Dolls, John Prine, Maura O'Connell and many others. Peter Case has performed live on stage with: John Prine, Richard Thompson, Mavis Staples, Tom Petty, R.E.M., Merle Haggard, T Bone Burnett, Gordon Lightfoot, Sir George Martin, Steve Earle, Los Lobos, John Hiatt, Bobby Womack, Jackson Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Dave Alvin, John Doe, Phil Lynott, Stan Ridgway, Chris Smither, Alejandro Escovedo, and many others.