Long Underwear Bands

Union Suit Rally is an eight member, popular Indianapolis band, formed in 2015, naming themselves after one-piece long underwear. Who wouldn't want to rally in their Union Suits? The group began with friends meeting in a basement to strum and sing, eventually growing into sort of a hillbilly country team. Their music has been described as sometimes bluegrass, punk, some jazz, other times blues, honky-tonk, folk, rock, alternative country, and sometimes a mix of heavy metal thrown in for good measure. Whew! The band will even perform an Irish tune or two. No kidding. They can't be pigeon holed. Forget labeling this long underwear band. It's that simple, if their music is not. Union Suit Rally has a good, mid-west following. They are well known enough that their crowds easily join in, singing and clapping along.

With Brad Powers as the bands' front band, Chris Cunningham is featured on the mandolin. Their songs include White Silk Dress, Bluebilly, and Pray for Prey. Song titles and lyrics are as diverse as their music.

There is no evidence who, if any of the them, wear union suits. Neither are there any photos of them in their long johns, at least, none that I could find. The name alone proves, however, they are a Long Underwear Band.

Long Underwear Bands

At least three Long Underwear Bands use "Long Johns" in their album and stage names. Foremost among these is the four person, four piece band plus one rooster, The Long Johns. This east coast group includes a girl singer-guitar player, three dudes and that crowing rooster. Despite the name, not one in this ensemble are named "John," unless it's an unknown middle name.  At least two of the guys seem to always wear blue union suits with the tops seen above their britches and under jackets or vests. And union suits mean long johns and long johns means country. And that's what this band proudly wears and plays.

The Long Johns' members are Sian Evans (vocals, banjo, guitar), Steven Buchanan (sousaphone), Paul Watson (guitar, banjo) and Richard Needham (drums). When performing or cutting an album, they easily utilize sounds emitting from a creaking door, a rooster crowing, a spittoon dinging, a chain gang clanking, the pounding of pots and pans, or a washboard zinging.

Their sound has been described as "spooky country with that old timey swing, tincture of dark country and barnyard bangers."   All and all, they are pretty darn good. Their songs include Clubfootin' and Hound Dog. Take a listen, The Long Johns will keep you warm on the cold nights ahead.