American Gun a first for the Shindig

American Gun of Columbia features Gaffney resident Todd Mathis (second from right). American Gun singer and songwriter Todd Mathis will return to his roots May 2 at 6 p.m. when his band performs in Gaffney.

American Gun is a Southern folk rock group that has gained popularity in the Southeast since forming in mid-2004 in Columbia. The band is currently playing on weekends in support of their new release "The Means and the Machine."

Todd is the son of Cherokee County councilman Charles Mathis. He started playing guitar in the ninth grade in Gaffney and is a veteran of the Columbia music scene.

He spends many weekends playing concerts with American Gun in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

County residents can hear the band when it kicks off next month's free Shindig at the Gaffney cabin concert series in downtown Gaffney. Food and beverages will be available.

Mathis is looking forward to performing for family and friends.

"My parents have always been very supportive of my music career. They have been to several of my concerts over the years," Mathis said. "It will be good to see a lot of my family and friends in Gaffney."

Mathis started American Gun with singer-songwriter Donald Merckle to explore their country and folk music interests. New members have added a punk and British rock'n roll edge to the band's sound.

American Gun recorded a collection of songs called "Demos, Guns & Guitars" in order to book shows in late 2004. After a few shows, the band printed a few hundred copies in response to requests for recorded material.

The collection quickly sold out. Instead of printing more, the band went into the studio to record "Southern Dark Hearts" in 2006.

Their latest CD "The Means and the Machine" was released March 18.

It is available on iTunes, emusic, Napster, Amazon and can be purchased through the band's Web site.

"Our new CD is a late-night record. There are songs about heartache, loss and the good things in life," Mathis said. "Our sound is a mix of country, folk and a little rock and roll. It's Neil Young meets Johnny Cash."

American Gun is the first rock and roll band to perform in the Shindig at the Gaffney concert series.