The Plate Scrapers

The Plate Scrapers originated in 2014 in western Maryland the way any good bluegrass band does; from a bunch of fellers pickin’ around in a circle, surrounded by delicious plates of food, strong libations, and beautiful women. The traditional spirit of The Plate Scrapers is still innately intact nearly half a decade later, though they have evolved into far more than your average bluegrass band. Through diverse backgrounds and influences ranging from jazz, to hard rock, to funk, the band has taken their music to an eclectic new level.

Having self-released two live albums and two studio albums, toured in fifteen states, and performed in direct support for The Seldom Scene, Keller Williams, Larry Keel, Hot Buttered Rum, We Banjo 3, and more, they have made themselves a household name in their local region of the mid-atlantic.

The Plate Scrapers’ songwriting is the identifying characteristic of the band. Complimenting writing styles from multiple members offer a tasteful balance and refreshing diversity to their sound, a diversity which they thoroughly excersize. Folksy lyrics of songs like “Shoes” or “Moonlight” call to a time of friendship, nostalgia and adventure, while songs like “Trucker’s Aspirin” or “Easy Way Out” are darker tales, gritty in nature.

Crafted musicianship and creative chemistry on stage guarantees that each performance is a new experience. More recently, the band has been known to take advantage of the sound shaping tools of modern music to enhance their traditional folk instruments whether it results in a screaming dobro or a sonically-warping banjo. Fans and critics alike agree that things are moving in a positive direction for The Plate Scrapers.

"...[The Plate Scrapers] can make you feel like you're listening to a classic artist play something from the future."

"The string band traditions are strong and honored for sure. But when they color outside the lines, The Plate Scrapers make you glad that everything isn't black and white! These guys play and sing with imagination and abandon."