The Scent of Stankgrass: Richey Richards and The Stank Rangers Deliver Bluegrass with Punch
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
In the highly competitive and often tradition-bound world of bluegrass, it takes a unique blend of heritage, skill, and personality to make a genuine impact. Enter The Stank Rangers, the sidequest-turned-primary-focus for guitarist and vocalist Richey Richards, a veteran player who spent over a decade honing his craft as an integral part of Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper. Now, Richards is stepping into the spotlight with a distinct sound he jokingly dubs “Stankgrass,” and based on the early singles, “Wait And See” and “Tellin’ The Bees,” he’s ready to share his own high-energy, small-town fire with the world.
Artist Background: From Rank to Stank
The origin story of The Stank Rangers is as endearing and organic as the music itself. Richards’ musical journey began with a group named The Rank Strangers, a nod to the classic Stanley Brothers tune. They played the local fair circuit and small-town venues, driven purely by “the love of picking and having a good time.” The shift to The Stank Rangers, initially a joke from jamming friends, became a permanent fixture after discovering an Australian group already claimed the original moniker—and perhaps more tellingly, because the T-shirts became popular even outside the bluegrass community. The name Stank Rangers became a badge of honor, hinting at a raw, perhaps slightly irreverent, but undeniably potent sound.
For years, Richards was known as Josh Richards, a celebrated instrumentalist in one of the genre’s best bands, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper. His tenure included a Grammy-winning album featuring one of his original songs. This experience was not just performing; it was an education in the heart of high-level bluegrass. The transition to Richey Richards—a childhood nickname—was a practical move to differentiate himself from the “too many Joshes” and marks a final step into his own musical identity. After a decade of supporting one of the best, Richards realized he had never released his own music. The Stank Rangers project, with its flexible, rotating cast of musicians—from family and friends to actual bluegrass legends—is his vehicle for sharing that voice.
Single Review: “Wait And See” & “Tellin’ The Bees”
“Wait And See”
The single “Wait And See” is a perfect introduction to the Stankgrass ethos. It showcases the razor-sharp musicianship one expects from a Flamekeeper alumnus, but with an added shot of raw energy that feels both familiar and fresh. The song immediately grabs the listener, driving forward with a propulsive rhythm that practically demands foot-tapping. Richards’ vocal delivery is clean, authentic, and infused with the genuine, hard-earned character of a seasoned performer. The instrumental breaks—the backbone of any great bluegrass tune—are precise yet fiery, demonstrating that Richards and his cohort are more than capable of holding their own with the best in the business. It carries the “small-town” grit Richards mentions, suggesting a sound forged not just in studios, but in real-life, high-stakes jams.
“Tellin’ The Bees”
“Tellin’ The Bees” offers a slightly different, perhaps more narrative, flavor of Stankgrass. The title itself is wonderfully evocative, referring to an ancient superstition and ritual where a beekeeper tells the bees about significant events in their family to prevent the swarm from leaving. Musically, the track is rich and layered, allowing the listener to appreciate the interplay between the instruments.
Where “Wait And See” is about velocity, “Tellin’ The Bees” highlights texture and storytelling. It gives Richards a chance to shine not only as a singer but also as an interpreter of a deeply rooted theme. The vocal harmonies, which are likely contributed by one of the rotating, talented members of the Stank Rangers lineup, are tight and soaring, adding a traditional warmth that keeps the “Stankgrass” firmly planted in the bluegrass tradition, even as it pushes its energy to the limit.
Conclusion: The Stank is Good
Richey Richards and The Stank Rangers are not just another new act; they are a seasoned player finding his voice and sharing a kind of exhilarating, authentic bluegrass that’s both a nod to the past and a charge into the future. Richards has spent years supporting one of the genre’s giants, learning the subtle art of making an individual note count in a collective sound. Now, with the launch of his own music, he is applying that knowledge to his own compositions.
The moniker “Stankgrass” is funny, memorable, and—most importantly—apt. This is high-energy, expertly played music that “you can smell before you hear it.” Both “Wait And See” and “Tellin’ The Bees” serve as compelling proof that Richards’ sidequest has matured into a vital contribution to the genre. If these two singles are anything to go by, Richards has truly found his time to shine.