The Backyard Devils

The Backyard Devils

The Backyard Devils are a Canadian country and bluegrass group with rockabilly influences. Their sound combines dirty country, roots music and older American styles, played with a strong emphasis on musicianship and a distinctive live feel.

Formation and members

The group forms around brothers Erik Arsenault and Remi Arsenault. After Erik Arsenault moves back to his hometown following a four-year stay in the mountains of Alberta, the brothers lay the foundation for the band on the drive home. They recruit guitarist Chris Belliveau, who has a background in roots music, and Dillon Robicheau, a bluegrass mandolin and banjo player from Nova Scotia, to complete the line-up.

Sound and recording

The Backyard Devils play a blend of dirty country, rockabilly and bluegrass, with swinging guitar rhythms, doghouse bass, guitar solos and fast banjo and mandolin lines. Their first album is recorded live off the floor over three days in January 2011, with 13 tracks captured in the studio. The songs cover themes such as guns, girls, god, drinking and outlaws, and the recording is meant to reflect the band’s stage sound.

Recognition

The band receives three Music NB awards in 2011: Emerging Artist of the Year, Country Album of the Year and Group Recording of the Year. Their debut album is available through iTunes and is associated with Spin It, Frank's Music and Boardertech in Moncton, New Brunswick.