The Dust Busters


(photo O. Mullick)

The Dust Busters are an old-time string band based out of Brooklyn, New York. They strive to integrate a wide range of old-time songs, ballads, fiddle tunes and jug band blues into every performance, infused with the old-time feeling and freewheelin’ high energy that characterized early string bands such as The Skillet Lickers, Dykes Magic City Trio, The Mississippi Sheiks, and J.E. Mainer’s Mountaineers, among many others. They are influenced and inspired by the direct fusion of Scots-Irish and African music that took place in Appalachia, the Western states and the Deep South from the earliest colonial times through the Second World War.  By carrying this music forward with authenticity and creativity The Dust Busters make it thoroughly contemporary, meaningful and fun!

The Dust Busters often play with folk music legends such as John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers and Peter Stampfel of the Holy Modal Rounders and have appeared at venues including Club Passim and the Jalopy Theater. They have played at festivals such as The Brooklyn Folk Festival and the Clifftop Appalachian String Band Festival and appeared on radio shows such as Radio Unnamable with Bob Fass, WBAI 99.5fm, New York and Sound Check with John Schaefer, WNYC 93.9fm.

The Dust Busters are: Walker Shepard (Banjo, Guitar, Bantar, Fiddle), Craig Judelman (Fiddle, Pump Organ) & Eli Smith (Guitar, Banjo, Manjo, Bantar, Harmonica, Autoharp).

For tour schedule and samples of The Dust Busters’ music, see:

http://www.myspace.com/dustbustersmusic

Check out our website/blog:
www.DustBustersMusic.com

Contact Info: DustBustersMusic@Gmail.com

Some Quotes About the Band:

“The Dust Busters bring back the true spirit of Old Time Music, where every singer invented his own performance. Besides being excellent musicians on fiddle, banjo and guitar, pump organ, harmonica, etc., they sing with the high voices that echo the sounds of young artists heard on the old 78s, evoking the spirit of the “Golden Era” of recording, and the mystery of their own identity.
They have built their repertoire from some of the best music of the past and they keep it alive and lively. They have found resonance with the intensity of rural music, while delighting in the nuances that preserve the individual uniqueness of the genre. This is music that will keep your mind dancing.
The Dust Busters are reaching for new musical highs, and they play the kind of music I want to hear.”
- John Cohen, New Lost City Ramblers.

“A really excellent stringband! They make this old music alive and present.”
- Bob Fass, WBAI 99.5fm New York.

“Here’s three of my favorite people to play and sing with ever, kicking musical ass all over the landscape. If you like your trad/roots benter and hotter than normal, you’ll love this!”
- Peter Stampfel, Holy Modal Rounders and Fugs.

“The Dust Busters have clearly been hanging out with some of my favorite dead guys. And this is the thing: you either fall in love with the dead guys or you don’t — but you can’t fake that sort of communion. The Dust Busters are there — you can hear it in their repertoire, and in the heart with which they play. It’s a rare gift, and I’m so glad they’re sharing it!”
- Rayna Gellert, Uncle Earl.