Earlier this year, I met a very special group of guys from central Oregon. Their band, Larry and His Flask, should come with a warning label: “High-energy, highly addictive music. Do not listen to this band unless you are ready to have your mind blown.” Here’s an excerpt of my feature on the group:

Fans can get a taste of The Flask’s music on their MySpace page – or better yet, on ReverbNation. (My song recommendations: “Beggars Will Ride” and “Closed Doors”.) Note the band’s rowdy, chorused shouts, the lightning-fast finger work done on banjo and guitar solos – the growly, country twang that only Central Oregonians seem to legitimately pull off. I’ve previously mentioned how much I adore the band’s stage presence and wide range of instrumental knowledge, but they’re definitely worth mentioning again. With the way they seamlessly blend punk rock roots and folk/hillbilly harmonies, the guys of LAHF demonstrate just how much their sound has evolved since 2003.

Watch the video above for a holiday message from LAHF, including a bluegrass rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” Having recently finished recording their upcoming album, Larry and His Flask will perform on New Year’s Eve at the Old Mill Music Lounge in Bend, Oregon.