The Barn Burners originated in Baltimore in 1994 as a duo when The Misguided disbanded. Guitarist/vocalist Bob Kannenberg and harmonica player Brett Wilson decided to form their own band, and return to a rootsier sound. The first incarnation of the Barn Burners featured Kannenberg’s rockabilly flavored originals, interspersed with often obscure blues and country covers. The Misguided, which included drummer Matt Maschal (Sunday Cannons), and bassist Joe Krocheski, had mixed roots and punk influences to create a sound that leaned toward Social Distortion’s early 90’s output. Kannenberg named the Barn Burners after Faulkner’s infamous Snopes family, who were sharecroppers suspected of burning barns when dissatisfied with their treatment at the hands of the property owner.
In 1995, Wilson left to return to strictly blues-oriented material (later with Jumping Hailstones), and Kannenberg expanded to the trio format, adding his brother Marc on bass, and former Polkat Steve Raskin on drums. This is the group that released the first Barn Burners album, “Tobacco Sunburst,” on Run Wild Records in 1996.
Prior to “Tobacco Sunburst,” Run Wild released a couple of Barn Burners cuts on its 1995 holiday compilation, “Another Rockin’ Christmas.”
Marc Kannenberg departed in 1997 and was replaced on bass by Brian Fisher, who left in 1999 but returned in 2005 as the band’s bassist. Raskin left the band later that same year and was replaced by Bonanza D. Jones (ex-Fat Tuesday).
L-R: Paul, Bob, Bonanza, Tony
When Fisher departed in 1998, Brian Badger (ex-Last Picture Show…) replaced him, and played on one studio recording, a version of the Blasters’ “I Don’t Want To,” which appeared on Run Wild’s “Blastered” tribute. Badger was succeeded on bass by Tony Vittoria, who remained with the band until 2005, and played bass on “Alibis” (Run Wild, 2000) and “Shot Down” (Atomic Twang, 2004).
In 1998 the band added Greg Beshers on guitar, and remained with the two guitars/bass/drums format. Beshers left the band and moved to New York city the following year to pursue his own musical projects, and has since toured on guitar with Moe Tucker (ex-Velvet Underground), and on bass with Old 97’s front man Rhett Miller.
Following Besher’s departure, the band added Paul Thomas on lead guitar. Thomas was replaced in 2007 by Steve Enslow, (ex-Totally Confused). In 2008, the Barn Burners featured Kannenberg and Enslow (guitars), Brian Fisher (bass), and Bonanza D. Jones (drums).
While Bob Kannenberg’s ‘Berry and Stones’ flavored rockers were the cornerstone of the Barn Burners sound, the band also displayed its country, Cajun, and R&B sides. Kannenberg likes to joke that when he looks at a Barn Burners set list, he is often the only living songwriter represented. [Update: Bob passed away in October 2025]
The Barn Burners played the majority of their shows in and around Baltimore. Favorite venues over the years include the Cat’s Eye Pub, the Dead Eye Saloon, and Fletcher’s, where the band was privileged to open for the likes of Dave Alvin, Jason and the Scorchers and Mojo Nixon. The band has played as far North as New Haven, CT, and as far West as Chicago, IL. The band’s favorite venue outside of Baltimore is the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, OH. (Thanks to Bob Kannenberg for the band bio and photos)
Record releases by the Barn Burners:
1996(CD) Run Wild 900 Tobacco Sunburst
2000(CD) Run Wild Alibis
2004(CD) Atomic Twang Shot Down
In addition to their full-length releases, the band has cuts on the 1995 Run Wild Christmas compilation, and 3 comps released by Dusty Records in Sweden.
