The New Orleans Nightcrawlers have been an active, vital collective for over two decades. Co-founders Matt Perrine and Kevin Clark are still with the group, which strives to further the spirit of the New Orleans brass band tradition while also remaining of the moment. Back in April, the group released Atmosphere, the first record from the Nightcrawlers since 2009’s Slither Slice. On November 24, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences announced that Atmosphere had been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Regional Roots Album category.

The group has long been a New Orleans staple. Its members have performed with Dr. John, the Neville Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Galactic and others. The group’s self-titled debut record was named Best Traditional Brass Band Album in the 1996 Offbeat Music Awards. Over the intervening years, the Nightcrawlers have built a reputation for their dynamic, high-energy live performances.  In April of 2018 the Nightcrawlers gained additional national recognition by appearing on The Simpsons. In “Lisa Gets The Blues,” animated versions of the band members back Lisa Simpson on the song “Just a Little While to Stay Here.” In addition to Clark (trumpet) and Perrine (sousaphone), the group features Barney Floyd (trumpet), Caytanio Hingle (bass drum), Kerry “Fatman” Hunter (snare drum, cymbal), Craig Klein (trombone, vocals), Miles Lyons (trombone), Jason Mingledorff (tenor sax, clarinet) and Matt Perrine, and Brent Rose (tenor sax). 

Atmosphere presents seven original songs written by band members, along with two covers, including Spinal Tap’s “Big Bottom,” which was co-written by New Orleans resident (and Simpsons vocal talent) Harry Shearer. He notes, “Even if it didn’t include the best-ever cover of ‘Big Bottom’, the Nightcrawlers’ new collection has this exceptional brass band in furiously great shape, exploring new harmonies and sonorities for the traditional New Orleans instrumental format.  No sitting allowed.”

Perrine tells Relix, “To have the opportunity to produce a record with the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, friends for over 20 years and industry heavies, was a dream come true. We spent a lot of time together in the making of this record to achieve a unified sound, an atmosphere, and it shows.”

Clark adds, “Atmosphere is a sonic masterpiece performed by world-class  musicians, recorded in a world-class studio and we are thrilled that our efforts and hard work have been recognized by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).”

Today we premiere a video of a performance recorded live in the Crescent City at Rock ‘n’ Bowl.