The Trainjumpers have been fine purveyers of original roots rock and roll music in the Ohio Valley since the band's 2007 debut recording "Deadtown" hit the streets.
That album received 4.5 stars out of 5 from Graffiti Magazine, which heralded the band as one of the Mountain State's brightest up-and-comers. The single "Deadtown" went on to be included as the no. 42 single on WEGW's end-of-year "Top 75 songs of 2007" chart.
Early this year, the band released its second album, "Bring On The Trainjumpers," also to critical success. Steubenville Herald-Star music editor Mark Miller said the band's soul-swinging rhythm section was a throwback to an early 1970s rock heydey. Miller added that "Bring On" counted among the best local recordings ever to come across his desk.
Pittsburgh City Paper music columnist Aaron Jentzen echoed Miller's praise. Jentzen compared the Trainjumpers to Beast of Burden-era Rolling Stones and early Dire Straits.
Both of the band's albums were mixed and recorded by Weirton's Rick Witkowski. The veteran producer had Rolling Stone's No.1 record of 1976 with his progressive rock band, Crack the Sky. Witkowski later went on to have chart success in the 1980s with B.E. Taylor Group.
The Trainjumpers include drummer Brian Gorby, guitarist Clifton Landis, bassist Tim Boyd, keyboardist Geoff Scholar and guitarist Matt Heusel.
The band began developing its regional reputation this summer, with guest spots on Hookahville 31 near Columbus, where it opened for a number of national acts, including Les Claypool, formerly of Primus. The band also appeared at the Get Together Festival near Penn State University, and was featured in the college's student newspaper. Recently, the band kicked out the jams for a local audience at Oglebayfest in Wheeling,WV.
