„I’m tired of American bands that sound like they’ve listened to more New Order than Howlin’ Wolf or Hank Williams.”  – John Schooley

The harmonica player Walter Daniels and guitarist John Schooley have been shadowy figures in the rock n’ roll underground for a combined forty years. Daniels was mixing blues with punk rock as far back as 1992 with Austin, Texas combo Jack O’ Fire, alongside the Big Boys’ Tim Kerr. He recorded with the Oblivians the Melissa’s Garage Revisited LP (1999), but recorded and performed live with everyone from James Williamson to Eugene Chadbourne, most recently lending his harp to the OBN III’s for their latest album. John Schooley is known as a root rock’n’roll one man band (but he is also member in The Revelators). His first single was among Goner’s first records, and another cult label, Voodoo Rhythm also released his records. It’s a meaningful fact that he toured with blues legend R.L. Burnside as his guitarist.

Now the two together on one, exclusively acoustic album, titled Dead Mall Blues. It’s mainly a selection from the American songbook. 8 from the 10 songs

We Got To Meet Death One Day by Blind Willie McTell (1898-59)

Poor Willie lost his eyesight in his childhood. Soon after lost his father, then his mother, so went whither he could. Wandered in Georgia with his 12 strings guitar. His records were frequently released between 1927 and 35, but under different names because he signed exclusive contracts with concurrent labels… It was a generally established custom at that time. After his record of 1949 he became itinerant musician again. In 1956 a record shop owner recognized him at a corner in Atlanta. The man lured him to his shop with a bottle of corn whiskey. During some shows his last tracks were recorded there.

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