Chuck Owston

One might not associate Pennsylvania with highwaymen, grave robbers and other macabre individuals, but these are the inspirations of Pittsburgh-based folk-rocker Chuck Owston.
In fact, Pittsburgh is filled with the dark and the macabre! From local TV-programs like Bill Cardille’s Chiller Theatre (aired from 1963 to 1983) and Mark Menold’s The It’s Alive Show (aired from 2005 to 2009) as well as the annual Zombie Fest, it’s little wonder that Chuck developed a taste for the dark and sinister. Indeed, dark are the themes on his recent A Gallery Of Rogues CD (not to be confused with Rogue’s Gallery - Pirate Ballads, produced by Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinksi).

Chuck has been playing roots music since 1959 in a variety of configurations from rockabilly to apocalyptic folk. Since 1986 he has been involved in the English/Celtic folk rock music he first discovered in the late 60's through groups like Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. In 1992 and 2001, Chuck played in the UK at a variety of venues (including busking on Cropredy Bridge) during the Cropredy Festival. However, he also feels inspired by bands like early King Crimson, T. Rex (!) and the ‘folk and battle metal’ coming out of Scandinavia (Turisas, Ensiferum).

In 2006, Chuck released two CDs, the first being The Dead Of October, which featured mostly original songs of the supernatural. The second was a retrospective called Cavalier Of The Road, which featured some of Chuck's original and traditional songs from 1988 to 2002 (done in an acoustic style). There are numerous CDs more, with various band incarnations, but it’s the current one I shall discuss here.

Chuck actually gives a brief introduction before the first number. In the intro, he’ll let us know that his songs are about murderers, drug addicts, highwaymen, grave robbers, lunatics, prostitutes and other characters your mum would love to have ‘round for tea.
The tracks have by and large a very traditional folk sound to them, with the occasional electric guitar twang adding edge and a more contemporary feel. Chuck’s raspy voice is perfect for such sinister stuff and gives the lot an authentic, early 19th century vibe (e-guitar sound aside).

One of the catchiest tunes is ‘The Hedge Robber: The Goblins Dine On The Road Tonight’, while ‘Tom O’ The Highwayman’ may well be inspired by Alfred Nuyen’s famous poem, although it’s a different story here and is performed more sober than, say, Loreena McKennitt’s musical interpretation of Nuyen’s poem.

Some songs on the Gallery Of Rogues album are spiked with gallows humour, for example ‘The Street Waif: Hell Mary’, with lyrics that go “There was a girl in London Town, in Seven Dials – that part of town. She looked so sweet but she carried a knife. You look at her wrong, she’ll take your life.” ‘Hell Mary’ has more of a storyteller quality to it, as opposed to an engaging melodious arrangement. Minimal use of instruments and a thumping, choppy rhythm emphasize the deadpan situations told of in the song.

What ‘Hell Mary’ lacks in melodious tune is made up for in ‘The Pressgang: She Waits Upon The Shore’ - without doubt the saddest number of the album. Starting with the sounds of ocean waves and seagulls, the actual song reveals the story of a young woman who waits in vain for the return of her sailor boy, who has been pressganged one dark night. Although his letters stopped coming long ago and she knows she will never see him again, she keeps on waiting until she’s grown old. The musical arrangement is a deliberate mix of folk ballad and sea shanty and performed in acoustic style, with added (and somewhat unnecessary) electric guitar toward the end. The strong melancholic feel of this musical tearjerker is enhanced thanks to the inspired use of a bouzouki.


One of the most unusual topics to ever write a song about must be of Jack The Ripper’s victims; but nothing is too macabre or too unusual for Chuck Owston it seems. ‘The Prostitute: Ghost Of The Ten Bells’ is dedicated to Elizabeth Stride (aka Long Liz), one of the unfortunate gin-sodden wenches who were butchered by mad Jack. The Ten Bells of course is the pub in Commercial Street in which Jack’s victims used to numb their senses before working the streets of Whitechapel. How such a truly sinister slice of history can inspire a whole song beats me, but the most disturbing aspect is that it actually sounds really good!

A Gallery Of Rogues is a display of the wicked, the bad and the doomed who all are redeemed by catchy folk rock tunes. Although the macabre English topics will no doubt fascinate American folk fans, for us it would be interesting listening to some twisted tales from the artist’s hometown. So here’s a hint, Mr. Owston.
(www.myspace.com/chuckowston)