Get Lucky with Horseshoes & Hand Grenades – Appleton, WI

Start St. Patrick’s Day weekend with an unforgettable live music experience at Poplar Hall as Horseshoes & Hand Grenades take the stage on Friday, March 14! Known for their high-energy performances and heartfelt connection with fans, this Americana quintet brings a lively blend of bluegrass, folk, and old-time sounds that are sure to get you moving.

Hailing from Stevens Point, WI, these five friends have spent over a decade building their musical family and captivating audiences nationwide. With a rich discography, including their latest album Miles in Blue, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades combines rip-roaring tunes with heartfelt storytelling and genre-defying creativity.

But that’s not all—Joseph Huber Band will kick off the evening with their own captivating set. Huber, a Milwaukee-based artist and former member of .357 String Band, blends traditional Americana with a modern twist, setting the perfect tone for a night of incredible music.

Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by dressing up in your favorite green attire! Join us for an evening of foot-stomping tunes and unmatched chemistry that only years of touring together can create. ether you’re a longtime member of the “Horseshoe Crew” or a newcomer to their sound, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

About Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

After ten years, five albums, innumerable sold out shows, and countless libations, Americana mavericks Horseshoes & Hand Grenades appropriately consider themselves a “family” on a wild, wonderful, and often whacky roller coaster. The bond between the quintet— Adam Greuel [guitar, vocals], David C. Lynch [harmonica, accordion, vocals], Collin Mettelka [fiddle, vocals], Russell Pedersen [banjo, vocals], and Samual Odin [bass, vocals]— fuels their creativity and chemistry on stage and in the studio. 

“Sometimes, it feels like we’re modern day cowboys on some kind of strange journey,” Adam affirms with a laugh. “We’re five friends who set out to do something we enjoy doing, meet interesting people, see old friends, and make some new buddies along the way. Because of that sense of friendship, everything seems to happen organically.” 

That’s been the case since these five musicians first met in Stevens Point, WI at college, joined forces, and hit the road harder post-graduation in roughly 2013. They have ignited stages alongside everyone from Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Trampled By Turtles to Railroad Earth, Merle Haggard, and Marty Stuart in addition to appearances at festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Delfest, High Sierra Music Festival, Blue Ox Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, John Hartford Memorial Festival, and many more. Their five albums—Another Round [2012], This Old Town [2013], Middle Western [2015], The Ode (2018), and Miles in Blue (2020) take the listener through a wide range of musical and emotional landscapes, something surely provoked by the five different members all sharing songwriting duties.  

Their most recent album, “Miles in Blue” is an 18-track album that celebrates their 10 years together as a band. While the album certainly nods to their tried and true blend of “new-time old-time” music, it also explores new musical avenues as the band pushes themselves to discover what else “can be”.

“It marks a point of growth,” explains Adam. “We’ve got those ripper type tunes we’re known for on there, but we’re experimenting with other elements. Little pieces of everybody are encapsulated in this record. We were really conscious of allowing our respective musical curiosities into the fold. Sam drops in a jazz and classical feel. Dave brings that Zydeco, Cajun, and old school blues vibe. Collin turned up this kinda pop folk energy, and Russell gives us the old-timey banjo feel. For me, I’m trying to play out my singer-songwriter curiosities. There are five songwriters in the band, and we’ve gotten better at harnessing our individual creativity and bringing it to the collective.” 

The boys found the perfect place to bottle those signature spirits. They retreated to Cannon Falls, MN in order to live and record at Pachyderm Studios — where Nirvana recorded In Utero — for just a week. Joined by the Hard Working American’s Chad Staehly in the producer’s chair, they tracked the eighteen numbers that would comprise Miles in Blue over the course of a marathon session. 

“Pachyderm is in the middle of nowhere,” he elaborates. “We’re all outdoorsy people, so the setting was super comfortable. It contributed to the laid back approach. It was by far the easiest recording project we’ve done. The whole experience was super positive and uplifting.” 

The Horseshoes & Hand Grenades family grows stronger by the day. “The best part of this has been building a community,” Adam leaves off. “In this day and age, it’s wise to look for things that bring people together rather than separate them. We’re creating an extended family to get through these times together. That’s the ‘Horseshoe Crew.’ Everything happens because of that bond between the band and the folks there fueling the fire.” 

About Joseph Huber Band

Joseph Huber hails from the state of Wisconsin, and seems to bring forth the varied voices of whatever it may be that lies dormant within either the fertile soil or the callous concrete of that world. It has been said, “You don’t just like Joseph Huber’s music. You feel it’s something that the rest of the world needs to hear, and how criminal it is that it isn’t spreading far and wide.” That sentiment could be related to the fact that the voices which Huber unearths are subtle and take more than a hurried listen to truly absorb. A person who appears reserved and matter-of-fact in everyday speech brings forth songs that are anything but that.

As the singer, songwriter, performer, recorder and producer of all of his own material, Huber has his hands full, but never seems to miss a beat. And his own ‘solo’ material has now certainly surpassed the output of his past efforts, both in volume and substance. As one of the founding member of the .357 String Band–a group that would probably fit better in today’s ‘Americana-saturated’ environment than in the early to middle aughts–he’s gradually honed a sound that seems to fill a very real gap within the still-emerging genre. Having progressed, Huber continues moving onward and upward captivating folks with his sincere and well-crafted songs under his own name along with the impeccable musicianship of his fellow touring partners. Whether it’s irresistible, fiddle-driven, dancing tunes or honest, heart-wrenching “songwriter” songs, Huber’s songs and shows spans the spectrum of ‘Roots’ music while preferring not to stay within the boundaries of any strict genre classification.

About Poplar Hall

In its short but impactful existence, Poplar Hall has quickly become a beacon of artistic expression and cultural enrichment in the vibrant city of Appleton. From its grand opening in 2021 to the present day, this venue has been a haven for both musicians and music lovers alike, fostering an atmosphere of creative freedom and camaraderie.

The building’s award-winning architecture and its riverfront location in the heart of Appleton attract visitors and locals alike, who are seeking a memorable night filled with exceptional performances.

Poplar Hall has proudly hosted an array of artists, who set the stage ablaze with unforgettable performances such as Sam Bush, Dark Star Orchestra, Keller Williams, Leo Kottke and more.

Part of the RiverHeath project, Poplar Hall sits between the newly constructed Willow building and the Appleton Courtyard Riverfront Hotel. Why not make a weekend out of it by staying at the award-winning Courtyard Marriott right next door. Enjoy the convenience and comfort of their luxurious accommodations before heading to the show.

Address: 141 S Riverheath Way, Appleton, WI 54915