Four years ago D. Rives Curtright and Matthew Stark were two dudes in a purple, rented Malibu touring the west coast on a whim. Armed with only a banjo and a guitar, they bathed in the Pacific and nearly sold out of their debut 7" on Jealous Butcher Records (Decemberists, Made for TV Movie). Now the duo is augmented by a solid backdrop of drums (Andy), bass (J.Funk), pedal steel, and percussion(Clampitt). Shunning sandals and embracing red meat, this group of western dandies is proudly adorned in black leather vests emblazoned with the band's moniker on their backs.
During the summer of O7, they successfully supported Jim Goad in opening for the national act Hank Williams III. Based out of Portland, Oregon the Power of County has been lauded by regional press as punk rock cowboys on a mission to bring Western back to Country.