Self-described purveyors of "acoustic mayhem," the Waybacks -- guitarists James Nash and Stevie Coyle, bassist Joe Kyle, and drummer Chuck Hamilton -- range freely from Charlie Parker jazz tunes, chicken-pickin' country, Irish reels, and Parisian swing to agnostic gospel, cowboy tunes, eccentric originals, beat poetry, and cliche-free folk. Comprised of veteran performers from some of the Bay Area's leading bands, including the Frontmen, the Hot Club of San Francisco, and Trailer Park Rangers, the group plays air-tight arrangements that swing with fervor and intensity, spotlighting spine-tingling vocal harmonies and some of the hottest instrumental playing you are likely to hear on either side of the Rockies.

The group recently released its third album, the live recording Way Live, which includes original show-stoppers like "Monkey Pants" as well as traditional gems like "Swallowtail Jig/Rights of Man Hornpipe" and the Rev. Gary Davis' "Hesitation Blues."