FRYED BROTHERS BAND “The Party Aint over ’til the Fryeds go home” goes the song written by legendary biker-bandleader, Harry Fryed. He ain’t kidding either. And twenty-five years later, the party is still going strong. The award-winning Fryed Brothers Band has been on the road, carving out a reputation as the best biker band in the world. Their energetic brand of American roots music is an irresistible stew of country, blues, swing, boogie-woogie, and good old roadhouse rock and roll.
Sure, many plow these musical fields, but few reap the success that the Fryeds have. Why? Because they simply are the best. Their incredible musicianship, entertaining performances, and reliable professionalism have elevated them head and shoulders above the pack. Ask anyone.
From George “Rip” Rose of Easyrider’s Magazine, who called them “the epitome of biker bands”, to Willie Nelson who released their CD, Roar of Dirty Thunder on his Pedernales Records label, singing a duet with Harry Fryed. Ask Billy Idol, who, after performing with the Fryeds, dubbed them, “the most dangerous band in the world”.
Harry and Tommy Fryed started the Fryed Brothers Band in 1980 as a tribute to their older brother, Mark. For twenty-five years they have toured relentlessly, not only in the USA, but also Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have headlined at most major motorcycle rallies in the country, as well as being regular performers at Willie Nelson’s annual Fourth of July picnic.
The laundry list of people they have shared stages and played with, is a wide-ranging, who’s-who of American music: Willie Nelson, Marshall Tucker Band, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, The Doobie Brothers, John Anderson, Jefferson Starship, Nazareth, Steppenwolf, Tower of Power, Jonny Lang, John Mayall, Commander Cody, Asleep at the Wheel, Freddie Powers, Eric Burdon, Elvin Bishop, Eddie Money, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, David Allen Coe, Leon Russell, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Billy Idol, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. Those who might pigeonhole them as “just” a biker band would be sorely missing the point.
With their wide-ranging blend of good-time American music, they’ve successfully crossed over those narrow boundaries. They rocked crowds at such diverse venues as the 2002 Winter Olympics. They have appeared at county fairs, rodeos, drag races, and for the past 8 years, have been the proud performers at the American Diabetes Association’s “Rip’s Bad Ride”. They were, at one time, the west coast back-up band for the late great country music legend, Johnny Paycheck.
Wherever they’ve appeared, whatever the venue, for twenty-five years The Fryed Brothers Band has proven time and again, that they are a great American band, period. “May the party never end”.
-Steve Werner, Biker Magazine