Succumb to Hell by Pondering Judd

It goes wonderfully with Sunday morning coffee, or tequila in the afternoon. "England is a brilliant and original storyteller with an odd way of looking at things, or at least a unique way of describing the things he's looking at."-Murdoch, Face Magazine

Succumb to Hell is Pondering Judd's fourth release, and proceeds the full-length release of Lonesome Heart Strangers, due out in spring 2005. The EP features seven songs, each displaying a wide-range of emotions, from painstaking heartache (Washed Your Number Off My Hand), to oil, guns & money (Long Arm) to unadulterated joy (World Series Beard). Hell's release continues a prolific track record of songwriting that explores both sweet and bitter parts of the soul, ripping trees from their roots in the process. "Succumb to Hell is a pleasant surrender." -Jamie Perkins, Portsmouth Herald

Pondering Judd is long known for their high-energy live performances, filling rooms from Portland to Burlington to Boston, and attracts extremely diverse audiences in the process. The have shared stages with the likes of Guster, Push Stars, Rustic Overtones, Dispatch, Entrain, Merrie Amsterberg and Rubyhorse, to name a few. "Pondering Judd put on a blistering set...before I knew what hit me, I was swept onto the dance floor."-Margaret Logan, Northeast Performer

Singer/songwriter Martin England writes smart lyrics and adherent melodies, pulling from such diverse influences as Wilco, Grant Lee Buffalo and Johnny Cash. "(England) sings his songs with the warmth and conviction of a man who has gained enough insights to confidently report back that it's going to be alright."-Alan Chase, Spotlight Magazine

Bassist Brian Gosselin and drummer Steve Jacques are solid hardwood beneath an undercurrent of acoustic guitars and sticky melodies. Jacques joined Pondering Judd in fall 2004, and brings explosive power and dynamicism to the mix. Guitarist Mark Edgerly brings over twenty years of touring and recording experience to the mix, and burns melodic guitar lines into permanent memory banks in the process. "The musicianship is top notch...and lead vocals, at times, are reminiscent of Crash Test Dummies...definitely a great rock band you should check out."-Steve Lea, Disk Frisk

In Spring 2004, singer/songwriter Hank Decken joined Pondering Judd, delivering over three decades of musical prowess and touring experience to the mix. Decken is a multi-instrumentalist (dobro, pedal steel, lap steel, electric guitar, and baritone guitar) who fronts his own band (Hank Decken and the Hard Line) and has released two solo records, with a third on the way.

Pondering Judd has been recognized regionally and locally. In spring 2004, they received the Spotlight on the Arts Award for Best Rock Band. They also won the 1999 & 2000 Spotlight on The Arts Award for Best Alternative Band. In winter 1995, England received a Spotlight on the Arts Award for Best Male Vocalist. In 2000, P-Judd's release Curve of Her Soul received top honors as Best CD by an Established Band at the 2000 Spotlight Awards, along with a second award for Best Alternative Band. "(Curve Of Her Soul) is 55 minutes of frank emotional declarations that range in intensity from introspective to jubilant." -Tim Deal, Showcase Magazine

Average Customer Review: 4