Hometown: Chicago, IL US

Most white folk these days be playing "the blues music" (you know, the hackneyed, soulless, tourist-blues with the wailing guitar solos and the watered-down Cream approach that appeals to all them rusting old hippies with their neatly trimmed pony tails and faded Canned Heat @ Monterey Pop T's--We swear to GOD, if we hear one more version of "Sweet Home Chicago..."). Devil in a Woodpile; they play blues. They also play country. Ragtime. Hot Jazz. Hillbilly. It's all the same to them. It's all taken from the same well called American Music that existed long before wise guy marketing goons decided to categorize the whole mess.

Rick "Cookin'" Sherry is the living, breathing, vaudevillian who fronts the trio. Check out his uncanny ability to channel the blues roots of a 30's juke joint wailer through his 21st century foghorn pipes, creating an outright eerie persona; the ghost of Skip James or Robert Johnson come to life. He scrapes a washboard, pounds a marching drum with a foot pedal, and plays harmonica only like a top-notch bad ass would--all the while keepin' time with a crash symbol. But don't let his nickname lead you into thinking he's some kind of culinary expert; he's only ever cooked a few eggs.

Bassist Tom Ray learned how to play stand up from Willie Dixon. He's played with the Bottle Rockets, Neko Case, Waco Brothers, the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, and he's got a regular gig with the Blue Man Group. His hobbies are fishing (don't ask him about it, he'll tell you more than you ever wanted to know), motor sports, and maintaining his legendary utility belt--he's like some sort of bass-playin' super hero.

Guitarist Joel Paterson could quite possibly be the best guitar player in Chi-town. You can also catch him playing with Kelly Hogan's jazz posse, The Wooden Leg. We don't think Joel has any hobbies.

Let's not forget about the "4th Devil" and stand in with the bottom end, tuba player, Gary Schepers, soundman par excellence around town. If he really likes you he'll fill you in on just about anything you've ever wanted to know about anyone famous.

Since the early 1930's, Devil has been holding court at the Hideout every Tuesday night. It's free, it's acoustic and unamplified--just like your grandaddies had to hear it--and it is a fine time. Help pass the tip jar around, have bartender Kelly Hogan concoct a libation for you, and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained. If you don't find yourself whaling out heckles, daring them to play everything from Son House to The Zep and stomping your feet, well, quite frankly, there's probably something wrong with you. Seek help.

"Every Tuesday night they set up shop right in the middle of the main room. No amps or mics, just balls and bravado. They play blues, ragtime, jazz, everything you could ever want. These are the kind of hangout buddies you can count on to bring the fucking hangout. There is no cover and the PBR is cheap, meaning you'll have plenty of cash to put in the band's tip jar." Diminutive Tim, Fran Magazine

"Shake It And Break It" on the DVD Bloodied But Unbowed: Bloodshot Records' Life In The Trenches

"Rock Island Line" w/ Jane Baxter Miller on Poor Little Knitter on the Road

"Easy Ridin' Mama" (non-CD recording) on Down to the Promised Land

"Funky Butt" on The Bottle Let Me Down

"Hanged Man" Rick Sherry sings on Pine Valley Cosmonauts' Executioner's Last Songs: Volume One

"John Hardy" Rick Sherry sings with the Meat Purveyors on the Pine Valley Cosmonauts' Executioner's Last Songs: Volume One

"Got Just What I Want" on For a Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot Records

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