Old 97's

Bio

Old 97's is a rock band from Dallas, formed in 1992 and still led by Rhett Miller, Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea, and Philip Peeples. They came up as an alt-country bar band—the name comes from the ballad "Wreck of the Old 97"—and Miller has called the sound "loud folk," later leaning toward power pop. Early records include Hitchhike to Rhome (1994) and the major-label album Too Far to Care (1997); their most recent studio album is American Primitive. They still play rooms such as the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and The Crocodile.

The band

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  Rhett Miller

  Rhett Miller is Old 97's lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter. He has described the Dallas band's style as "loud folk," and he also records and tours as a solo artist.

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  Murry Hammond

  Murry Hammond plays bass and acoustic guitar and sings in Old 97's. He and Rhett Miller first worked together when Hammond helped produce Miller's 1989 solo album Mythologies, and Hammond's interest in trains inspired the band's name.