Writing and performing in these modern times while being naturally drawn to a bygone era of folk and country music, Mice and Rifles is heavily influenced by the grit of such recording artists as Johnny Cash, Son Volt, Old 97′s, Jimmy Rodgers, Murder By Death, The Carter Family and Lead Belly.
From miceandrifles on Twitter
by Doug Freeman, The Austin Chronicle
Following 2006′s fine All Kites Up, Mice & Rifles’ second EP proves the local sextet more unified and polished, guitars squealing to the fore on ironic anthem “Carefree Americans” and brooding “The Only One.” Though still not quite capturing their live country-rock assault of indignation, Beginner’s Luck maintains its power in the percolating intensity of Kevin Brinkkoeter’s low growl. Seething in a bittersweet scowl and furrowed by Phil McJunkins’ pedal steel, Brinkkoeter’s voice cracks on waltzing closer “Glass Homes” with the acerbic wit of lines like: “Let me digress, to when we first kissed. We were carving stones, while we were living in glass homes.” Before that, “Shall Remain” pensively grapples mortality (“My mind is thinking things that my younger mind would never dare”), and “No Longer Love” churns heartache against resignation. No luck to it; Mice & Rifles fire with steel-eyed precision.
Interview for Big State Festival
by Austin Powell Off The Record, The Austin Chronicle
Loaded with dusty, Depression-era country tunes, Mice & Rifles, one of the only alternative Austin acts on the bill, has a few tricks up its sleeve for the occasion. “I figure one of us will make moves on Faith Hill,” fires singer and guitarist Kevin Brinkkoeter. “Next thing you know, Mice & Rifles are on the cover of country-music magazines everywhere receiving a swift uppercut from Tim McGraw.” OTR compared notes with straight shooter Brinkkoeter for the rest of the festival.
OTR: I’m excited to see Charlie Louvin; what about you?
Kevin Brinkkoeter: Willie Nelson.
OTR: Who’s most likely to be packin’ heat – besides Billy Joe Shaver?
KB: It’s hard to say with this many country music artists drinking in the heat of October.
OTR: What artist is most likely to bring their own barbecue sauce?
KB: Again, Willie Nelson. Think about it. The man makes his own diesel these days! Why not just move on to other necessities?
OTR: Who’s most likely to down a six-pack before playing? I’m thinking Miranda Lambert.
KB: Our guitarist Kyle Cox. Yeah, I’m talking to you, Nightfist.
OTR: What singer is most likely to wind up in a race car?
KB: Probably me. I once had a tree jump out in front of my car, which made me punch myself in the face with a cheeseburger.
OTR: Kevin Fowler‘s my bet.
Review of All Kites Up
The tension underlying Mice & Rifles’ debut EP is encapsulated in Kevin Brinkkoeter’s husky voice set against droning keys and swooning guitar. Barren horizons open up only to be collapsed by drums and Brinkkoeter, as with the dark wax and wane of “Telegrams” and “I Can Tell.” “Balance” crackles with an acerbic disillusion of love, while “American Victory” laces its chugging rhythms through a condemning political tirade. Most exceptional is opener “Storms,” with Brinkkoeter echoing both Johnny Cash’s baritone and new local Micah P. Hinson’s weary drawl. And although closing All Kites Up with the Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” seems dubious, the song is impressively rendered, mirroring Richard Hawley’s blend of Britpop and Americana.
Review of All Kites Up
by Joe Gross XL, Austin American-Statesman
Formed in January (2006), this group’s a jarringly sharp entry into Austin’s next-big-alt-country-thing sweepstakes, a contest that seems to have been going on since the cosmic cowboy era. Plain-spoken vocals somewhere between the honky-tonk and the Parish plus wide open Neil Young-esque guitars equals a pure prairie pleasure.