The Brothers Comatose

On the new album, Respect The Van out May 22, their music is not a wavering mélange
of assorted styles, but decided and strong bluegrass-influenced folk rock. With the addition of members Philip Brezina (fiddle) and Ryan Avellone (mandolin) the band aims "to offer a damn good time, with a no-bullshit style that we found in those original living room parties and our live shows," says Ben. "We tracked everything for the album live in one big room – treating the studio like a stage," he explains.
As for the name, only a brother could pick it out by observing his sibling. Guitarist *and vocalist* Ben said when brother Alex Morrison *(banjo and vocals) * goes into a trance-like state while playing his banjo, "his eyes roll back in his head like he's in a coma." It's certainly not indicative of their music, which doesn't have any of the indulgent noodling breaks characterized by other string based bands – though the musicianship is solidly there, it's given with a communal and inclusive spirit to sing and dance along to. Now, at live shows, the San Francisco band is known for handing out chopsticks to the audience for participatory percussion on whatever surface is closest.