There are very few "new" groups that I really get off on. But these guys captivated me. I caught them Nov 8, 2009 on Austin City Limits and they mesmerized me!
They are a group of three main players who were all sidemen for other artists (sound familiar?). The three "front men" (they have a drummer and keyboardist too) all three play strings. Two of them play a lot of slide. One of those two didn't play anything without a slide...INCLUDING a PIANO! I've never seen anyone use a slide on the strings of a baby grand while playing the keys with the other hand! That guy also played dobro (a resonator type metal guitar), a lap steel and also used a slide on a Les Paul.
Their music is a really strange blend of country and blues with a kicker of Rock.
Take a listen and see what you think. They are well worth the time you might use to look them up. Several cuts off of their 2009 released CD are streamed on My Space below:
http://www.myspace.com/thebandofheathens