These United States

Technically, These United States is only a half-D.C. band. Two of the their five members hail from Lexington, KY, while a third is a recent transplant to the District from the same city. Perhaps that explains their unique style - a musical hybrid of catchy southern-inspired folk and gritty, badass rock. In the band’s 2007 debut album, “A Picture of the Three of Us at the Gate to the Garden of Eden,” singer-songwriter (and D.C. resident) Jesse Elliott demonstrates an impressive artistic range, flashing shades of Dylan, Wilco, and early Jack White. These United States is currently touring the country to promote their second full-length album, “Crimes,” which hit stores last week.

Get to know These United States:

What are your primary musical influences?
Currently in These United States: Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (in case you weren’t down with the 1980’s indie rock scene, that’s the house band from the "Muppet Show"), The Cotton Jones Basket Ride, Theme Time Radio Hour (Bob Dylan’s weekly XM Radio show).

What’s the biggest show you’ve ever played?
It will happen on October 15 in San Francisco, California.  It will be our biggest show in the sense that we'll be spending our time on something much bigger and more important than us.

What's one thing you'd like our readers to know about These United States?
We love playing music. We can honestly say that.  We can't think of anything we'd rather do than sweat all over you bleeding our hearts out on the floor.  We'd like for you to come see us sweat all over you bleeding our hearts out on the floor.  We think that will be good for all of us involved, and in some very small sense good for the world in general.  Otherwise we wouldn't be doing this.

Is there any one thing you miss most about the District when you're on tour?
Well, Ben's Chili Bowl, of course - but that's too easy.  Hmm.  The Wonderland Ballroom.  We miss that place.  We never get to see it anymore, now that we don't live in that neighborhood. Mark Charles' (of fellow D.C. band Vandaveer) front porch at 5th and Aye Streets N.E., too.