Biography
Marc’s Americana/Bluegrass band, The Stonethrowers, formed in January 2007 to coincide with the release of his first album, the eponymously named Stonethrowers. Since then, Marc has enjoyed the company of the band on three more recordings: Past Is Prelude (2008), Naive Lovers (2010), and California Avenue (2011). The band blends a passion for original and traditional songs, with a unique mix of country and popular music. Lead singing with great vocal character and seamlessly blended three-part vocal harmonies fills out their energetic delivery.
A Stonethrowers performance feels like kicking back in a good friend’s living room, the smoky sweetness of Marc’s voice like a good bourbon to round out the evening. Stage banter brings the audience into an intimate conversation with the band as they navigate their nightly set lists.
Mike Hlatky on the upright bass and vocals is the passion and drive behind the bluegrass selections in The Stonethrowers band. Choice notes, a great feel, and the quickest draw this side of town with a vocal harmony, Mike is an adventure to have around and a blast to play music with. Mike is featured on the albums Past Is Prelude , Naive Lovers, and California Avenue. You can also hear Mike with his band The Keystone Mountain Boys, who play the best of the classics of the high and lonesome tradition. They are Philadelphia’s best hard driving/high lonesome band!
Lewin Barringer joined the group in late 2009 offering his services as a singer and mandolin player. Perhaps most loved in The Stonethrowers for his energy/stage presence, song selections, and dreamy hair styling, Lewin also updated the band with a fresh and timely YouTube makeover. A songwriter in his own right (Broken Trophy), electric guitarist in Sunshine Superman, and worldly known for his YouTube page Garage Band and Beyond, Lewin always offers a refreshed take on the traditional. Lewin made his first appearance on a Marc Silver record on Naive Lovers, and most recently made his lasting mark on The Stonethrowers new EP, California Avenue.
Isaac Stanford, a craigslist addition to the band, has brought tasty and ferocious finger picking, and an amazing variety of songs to the bands repertoire. The longest lasting member of The Stonethrowers, Isaac has illuminated and enchanted Marc’s songs with his pedal steel prowess since 2006. Isaac is also featured on Past Is Prelude, Naive Lovers, and California Avenue.
The Stonethrowers’ repertoire spans joyous and energetic improvisations to melodically mournful meditations on love and loss. With a song list of 4-5 hours, you’re likely to hear your favorite original songs as well as artists like The Beatles, Peter Rowan, George Jones, The Band, The Rolling Stones, Hank Williams, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Steve Earl, Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt, Ricky Skaggs and more.
The Stonethrowers have performed with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Jerry Douglas, Claire Lynch, Shawn Mullins, and Chuck Prophet, to name a few. Past performances include headlining appearances at The Kimmel Center, The Sellersville Theater, The World Cafe (Philadelphia & Wilmington), Musikfest, Penns Peak, The Tin Angel, and Main Stage at the 2010 Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Winner: Best Band at Pickin In The Panhandle Sept. 2008
Reviews
“ ‘Take back your heart/ I don’t want it no more,’ pleads Philly song-slinger Marc Silver on Past Is Prelude, his third album. Another tune finds him on similar footing: ‘I dont wanna leave just to learn/ All I need was inside your heart.’ Just as timeless as those sentiments is the plucky, bluegrass-tinged folk delivered so sharply by Silver and his regular band, The Stonethrowers. There’s banjo and mandolin, upright bass and pedal steel, and lots of harmonies raining down, all serving to brighten Silver’s somewhat mournful songwriting. But like the well-worn Appalachian tunes he looks to for inspiration, his own work is uplifting in its clear-eyed honesty.” – (Doug Wallen) Philadelphia Weekly Review: Nov. 2008
“A little bit of folk, a little bit of country and a whole lot of three-part harmonies add up to make this band one you don’t want to miss.” Philly Metro: Jan. 2008