The Waybacks  press

"Originally pigeonholed as solely a bluegrass band, the Waybacks’ genre-hopping and myriad influences make 'Loaded' seem like a mixtape made just for you by your infinitely cooler friend. The sound may not be easily categorized, but it is damn good." - Juli Thanki, PopMatters

"I've been a Waybacks fan for years and I think this is their best CD ever! It's currently number one in rotation at WGWG." - Jeff Powell, Program Director, WGWG FM

" … few bands have produced instrumental virtuosos who can follow the lead of newgrass icons like Sam Bush, Tony Rice and David Grisman … The Waybacks, on the other hand, feature hot pickers who are destined to become revered new-acousticians, thanks to their individual solo styles and the band's novel and irreverent tenor." - Scott Nygaard, ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE

" ... geniuses … whose playing stacks up to anything you'll find." - Brad Kava, San Jose Mercury News

"These guys can play like bandits." - Ray Waddell, Billboard

"The Waybacks, Burger After Church (Fiddling Cricket): A near-ideal balance of irreverence, chops, discipline, and originality separate the Waybacks from many bands that share their 'jamgrass' audience." - David Royko, Chicago Tribune "10 Best CDs of 2002"!"

" … chops to spare, a sense of humor, and no respect whatsoever for standard operating procedure … very impressive … do yourself a favor …" - Rick Anderson, Bluegrass Unlimited

"one of the most exciting, inventive and fun acoustic bands on the planet! … it's no wonder that these bay area favorites are catching fire across the country: they are stellar instrumentalists adept in multiple musical genres who have taken the acoustic string band to a whole new level." - Kevin Russell, Freight Train Boogie

" … one way cool band ... tight, crisp, sophisticated music." - Sing Out! Magazine

"This eclectic quintet ventures where few acoustic groups have gone. The music made by The Waybacks ... features some of the most exotic settings for mind-blowing picking you'll ever hear. These guys are extraordinary musicians, and their spellbinding solos will leave you slack jawed. They call their music 'acoustic mayhem.' I call it sheer genius." - Michael Miller, BayArea.Com

The Waybacks  onstage

"The musical maelstrom known as the Waybacks blew into Iota from San Francisco Tuesday night, sending up such a startling tornado of aggressively performed, high-spirited melodies as to remove all air from the room. Their inspirational combination of influences -- not to mention their recklessly brazen breakneck pace -- exposed the band as virtuosos sharing a singular mind-set." - Buzz McClain, THE WASHINGTON POST

"The Waybacks are one of the most talented groups to play The Ark in several years. Besides being extremely entertaining, they take a lot of musical risks and cut across several different genres. They succeed completely. I love 'em." - Dave Siglin, THE ARK, Ann Arbor, MI

" … the group's air-tight arrangements swing with fervor and intensity, spotlighting spine tingling vocal harmonies and some of the hottest instrumental playing you are likely to hear on either side of the Rockies." - Steve Baker, THE FREIGHT AND SALVAGE, Berkeley, CA

"Excellent musicians and delightful human beings, they brought the house 'up' and kept it there through three encores at the Kerrville Folk Festival. We can't wait to have them back." - Dalis Allen, KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL, Kerrville, TX

"Old Settler's Music Festival audiences will never be the same after The Waybacks knocked them back on their heels. If you haven't seen them, go … but hold on tight, you're in for a heck of a ride." - Doc Roberts, OLD SETTLER'S MUSIC FESTIVAL, Austin, TX

"... City Stages' artiest act, although most people will be having too good a time to notice the band's massive library of influences. Every player here, however, can claim to be the real genius behind The Waybacks." - Frank Booth, BLACK & WHITE, Birmingham, AL

"The finest act (of the 2001 Winnipeg Folk Festival) was San Francisco quintet The Waybacks, a stunning collection of traditional musicians." - Bartley Kives, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

" … I'm certain we will both live to see the time come when The Waybacks will be a legend in our own times (or minds). These guys are such a pleasure to work with and I love seeing new fans' reaction when they see them for the first time." - Jim Williams, SWALLOW HILL, Denver, CO

"The Waybacks wowed MerleFest audiences yet again! This band is truly exciting live. They did several sets over the course of the weekend and fans kept asking for more. Thanks to the Wabes for really putting out! " - Claire Armbruster, MERLEFEST 2003, Artist Liaison