Cincy-based cowpunks headline downtown Terre Haute concert

Thursday, August 25, 2011
Cowpunk band 500 Miles to Memphis will headline a block party in downtown Terre Haute on Saturday.

There would be a lot of dispute if you asked a music lover to point to the spot on the map where country and rock intersect.

Is it Texas? Southern California? Tennessee?

It's likely few would say Cincinnati, so perhaps Queen City-based 500 Miles to Memphis chose their name well. Memphis is as good a reference point as any for this cowpunk band's mix of modern alternative and country.

The band will bring its signature sound to western Indiana on Saturday as the headliners of the inaugural Downtown Terre Haute Block Party. They cap off a full day of entertainment happening from 1 p.m. to midnight on four stages along Wabash Avenue from 4th to 9th streets. Admission is free.

The Cincinnati-based band has received international praise for its ability to satisfy the musical hunger of fans in both country and alternative/punk genres. With their latest CD release, "We've Built Up to NOTHING," they've had tremendous success for the use of their songs in television, from placements on MTV's Nitro Circus and American Movie Classics (AMC) to being featured in countless YouTube extreme sports videos by athletes such as Travis Pastrana.

Their song "All My Friends Are Crazy" is now part of the Rock Band video game. 500 Miles To Memphis has also received the praise of music journalists worldwide.

"We've Built Up to NOTHING" features cut after cut of instantly memorable hooks, screaming guitars, Beatles-inspired harmonies and even a full orchestra. Sample music and learn more at www.500MTM.com or via 500milestomemphis on Myspace/Sonicbids.

The group plays three hour-long sets beginning at 8 p.m. on Stage 4 at 7th and Wabash. They join Octane, the Brad Anderson Band, the Dave Frisse Band, Mark Grayless' National Crossroads Acoustic Bluegrass and Four Days in Space in a jammed-packed, full-day schedule that begins at 1 p.m. on four stages located from 4th Street to 9th Street along Wabash Ave.

The Block Party also features fine local food and beverages, an artisan market, children's zone, a cruise-in car show, The Will Center's live auto auction, motorcycles, poetry and the Wells Fargo stage coach. Find the schedule of events, a festival map and more on Facebook or at downtownterrehaute.org.