CACTUS HUNTERS

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Cactus Hunters Reviews
Times Herald Record
By: Steve Israel

What a terrific debut album from this Ulster county based band, which makes instantly inviting music that sounds like the Band meets J.J. Cale.

The Cactus Hunters are led by Lance Juckas, who uses his yearning voice to sing provocative lines -- sample: "Angels in the backseat/Driving me home/Going down all the wrong roads."

The lineup is rounded outt by such pros as Fred and Brad Scribner, John Rush and Jake Lee Rau.

Roots Revival Radio (Belgium)

Pop-rock with slices of Americana come from this New York based band.  The album reads like an enumeration of 60's and 70's influences:  The Band (Lomsome Cowgirl, Roam), Rolling Stones (kicking The Mule, Elvis Land), Johnny Cash (I got The Bait, Rain, Rain, Rain), the Faces (Joline), Little Feat (Sooner Or Later). 

Halfway To Texas is New York tex-mex with great accordion from Professor Louie.  Watch out for superb slide guittar from Fred Scribner on Heartbreaking World.  Almost every song is written by Lance Juckas, who also sings and plays guitar and bass.  This album is a must-own for all roots-rock fans.
Americana UK

This album release has attracted a lot of attention stateside and its is easy to hear why.  Most styles of American roots music are embraced, and there is an underlying sense of grittiness provided by songwriter Lance Juckas'  vocal style.  Standout tracks include "Angel In The Backseat" and "Sooner Or Later" but songs are strong across the whole album.

Country Standard Time

Reviewed by Robert Wooldridge


The Woodstock, N.Y.-based Cactus Hunters' self-titled debut release reveals varied influences from the past, particularly that of previous Woodstock residents The Band. The Band's impact is most strongly felt on the country weeper "Lonesome Cowgirl," the uptempo "Halfway To Texas" and the Dylanesque ballad "Roam."

It is also apparent that Johnny Cash is a favorite as "Rain, Rain, Rain" and "I Got The Bait" recall Cash's Sun days, and Cash is mentioned by name in "Lonesome Cowgirl." Lead singer and songwriter Lance Juckas' vocals at times recall Ben Vaughn, particularly on the ballad "Heartbreakin' World" and the rockabilly "Sooner Or Later." Elsewhere traces of the Rolling Stones can be heard in the rocker "Kicking The Mule," and the bluesy "Angels In The Backseat" is reminiscent of the Del Fuegos.

Though this may not be "Music From Big Pink" songwriter Juckas and the Cactus Hunters deliver an impressive and promising debut.

Freight Train Boogie

By: Keith Robb

This is the self titled debut from this Woodstock, NY band and it's one fine CD at that. Their sound reminds me of a cross between The Band, Dr John and Little Feat. With maybe, just maybe, a little Skynyrd thrown in for good measure too. The guitar has a nice southern rock/Bakersfield twang to it. Kinda like if Robbie Robertson went out drinkin with Buck Owens and wound up passed out in New Orleans. The Keyboards conjure up memories of Billy Payne and Garth Hudson, not too mention Billy Powell. Well done gents. Hope to hear more in the future.


ROOTS ROCK REPORT

Rating:  starstarstarstarstar
Genre: Roots Rock

The Cactus Hunters have just released an album that is sure to make them one of the top groups in the Roots Music industry. 

All the songs on this release were written & performed by the Cactus Hunters.  This CD could easily fit into the Roots Country or the Roots Rock genres, so we will just chose the Roots Rock genre.  The production on this album is superb and the band is simply killer.

From heartbreaking women, falling for cowgirls to just having a good time, are the key focus of the lyrics.   The vocals are raspy masculine performances that demand an audience.    Rock on Cactus Hunters this is a kick butt CD.