Trampled By Turtles

For whatever reason, bluegrass purists have been reluctant to embrace the next generation of string bands crowding America's festival circuit. The latter's new style of fast-paced mandolin meandering leaves die-hard enthusiasts wondering exactly what they're hearing. What should they call it? Punkgrass? Bluerock? Minnesota's Trampled by Turtles calls itself an "original, non-traditional bluegrass band." As far as handles go, that one's a little long-winded and boring — but whatever tag is stuck on their jug-thumpin' sound, the Turtles could sit on the string-rock board of directors alongside such homegrown acts as the String Cheese Incident and Yonder Mountain String Band. Live, the band prefers to sit down while performing, which is a bit tame for the foot-stomping licks its members proffer. Even so, the group manages to emanate a great deal of energy on stage. Songs like "Ceiling Slide," off the outfit's latest effort, Trouble,are sure to have the Bluebird crowd hootin' and hollerin' in the fresh blades of...nü-grass?