Stream: The Autumn Defense – Live at WNRN, December 8, 2010

The Autumn Defense, also known as one-third of Wilco, will play Anthology on Thursday.

The band is made up of Wilco’s longtime bassist John Stirratt and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone. The duo’s excellent musicianship — combined with their boyish good looks — has  made the Autumn Defense one of the most popular of the many Wilco side-projects.

The band has four LPs and one EPs to date, including their 2010 release, the critically acclaimed Once Around. Stirratt and Sansone formed The Autumn Defense after discovering a mutual admiration of classic rock, citing AM gold, soul, and radio rock as major influences. The duo does more than merely emulate a bygone era, however; Stirratt and Sansone have also re-worked their influences into something at once accessible and groundbreaking, and — most importantly — rewarding to listeners and the players alike.

Asked how Once Around came around, Sansone refers to time Wilco recently spent in New Zealand to work on a charity compilation: “The experience in New Zealand was instrumental in this…We were spontaneously writing new songs, having other musicians that we really respect recording with us and reacting so positively to the Autumn Defense material.”

Since the constantly touring Wilco hasn’t played in San Diego in over three years, the Stirratt and Sansone Anthology gig should be more than a welcome fix for local fans. And while the February 3rd show will be Autumn Defense-centric, their performance will undoubtedly retain the jovial atmosphere and tight musicianship for which Wilco is known.

Ask any Wilco/Autumn Defense fan, and they’ll tell you that this show is a don’t-miss. Get your tickets here.

The Autumn Defense tour dates
2/3 – Anthology – San Diego, CA
2/4 – Pappy and Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA
2/5 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA