Music / americana
Americana, Blues & Country Picks: April 2018
Two things then: Firstly, March was absolutely jam packed, a mammoth month that tested our stamina and forced some difficult choices. April offers as much quality but less quantity and just the one gig clash. Secondly, although posted on the first we feature neither obvious bludgeoning jokes nor ridiculously subtle spoofs that you won’t get for ages and then be embarrassed when you realise you’ve been had. There are, however, loads of great bands and artists for your delectation and delight; they are local, national and international and appearing at our lovely venues, big, medium and little – all of which deserve your support (especially the littler ones). See you down the front.
Captain Cactus & the Screaming Harlots
is needed now More than ever
What a fabulous name: why wouldn’t you want to investigate an outfit with such a glorious moniker? Pleasingly they promise a hybrid of Americana, Alt-country, Blues, Roots & Ska, and whilst the former four are often blended the introduction of ska in to the mix gives this Frome based outfit their USP. The Julia Turner Trio will be on hand to provide Jazz / Blues based support along with solo swampy Blues from Luke Philbrick. And all for a fiver. Just five quid – it would be rude not to eh?
https://vimeo.com/205371133
This lot bring their ninth studio recording to the Fleece: Wild & Reckless, an album that sprang from a “half musical, half rock-opera that dealt with heroin abuse, desperation, true love and western power structures” and also a companion piece to previous LP Furr. It sees them continuing to plough an off kilter furrow through Americana, with some intriguing diversions. The earliest incarnation of the band was far from Alt Country and it’s pleasing that all this time later they’re still willing to experiment, still willing to push the boundaries and yet they have plenty of heart and soul in the material.
Railway Tavern: Saturday, 14 Apr
This band of grizzled veterans keep themselves busy around town (and out of town to be factual) delivering their greasy take on Alt-county and are an outfit that’s not afraid to chuck some Rock in to the mix. You could stay at home and watch a couple of Morecombe and Wise wannabies on the telly, (sorry, one wannabie lately, chortle) or you can get yourself out to a fine drinking establishment, get on the good foot and dance away all the Easter egg calories. It’s a no-brainer really.
Siegal had another splendid recording ready to grace your stereogram and he and band will be touring All the Rage around the country before taking it global. He’s been doing this Blues thing for twenty five years now, and doing it very well. He’s versatile too, solo gigs; band gigs and has also spent a lengthy stint with a French orchestra interpreting Billie Holiday tunes. A fine songwriter at ease with his craft, and an easy going welcoming presence on stage, this will be a fine night for Blues fans and anyone interested in great songs played by a cracking band.
It’s been a long time since The Professor and his siblings left their family farm and embarked on conquering the world with their first band Mama’s Boys (a mighty fine outfit, Pat’s fiddle playing separating them from the rest of the NWoBHM pack). The band went through the mill a bit and had a chequered career before being struck by tragedy when youngest brother (and drummer) Tommy died in 1994. After an understandable break McManus returned with Celtus, a roots outfit that had quite some success. Since the demise of that unit he’s played with a number of other bands but will be out with his own band promoting latest waxing Tattooed in Blue. Expect a night of powerful Blues with some interesting twists (think of Taste), and be there to support an undervalued performer who will not disappoint.
Jake Smith has taken the scenic route to success, playing to one man and his dog in numerous dives around the States before gaining much wider exposure through faux-biker soap opera Sons of Anarchy, since which he’s gone on to well-deserved success. He’s a keen observer of life in the underbelly of the States but his narrative driven songs resonate universally. The tunes really come to life on stage: he and his trio certainly have that Country feel but essentially play punked-up Rockabilly to visceral and thrilling effect. Support are Alice Drinks the Kool Aid, another enticingly named group that begs a viewing. They offer music that draws from the “…deepest free Jazz and the most fundamental Rock and Blues”, which sounds enticing and demands an early arrival just to see what that means in practice.
Last at the Louie in 2016 these guys have gained an awful lot of good press since and won a lot of fans with their consummate Blues Rock. They’ve also gained a new singer and drummer as a result of a line-up change, so this mini-tour will be a chance to look the new line up in the eyes and see what they’re capable of in an intimate setting. Joining the band will be Gabriella Jones, who has confounded the fashion police by opening for Beyoncé, Black Sabbath and Rihanna amongst others. As you’d expect with that pedigree her blues-based rock is pretty damn versatile, helped by an ear for a hook. Oh, and Wyatt Wendalls will be on drums apparently (not a headbanger – check here). And don’t be tardy as the show will be opened by locals Flowerpot, a hard working band full of raw talent who’ve been carving out quite a reputation lately. Heavier than the bands usually featured here but guaranteed to acquaint you with your inner headbanger.
Josh Rouse’s latest record Love in the Modern Age is ready for release and he will hopefully be previewing tunes at this gig. It will be interesting to see what direction they take given that he descried his 2015 release The Embers of Time as “my surreal ex-pat therapy record”. Regardless of tone or topic, the material will be well crafted given the way his signwriting chops have developed since his debut back in 1998. He’s also evolved in to a fine night out too, warm and engaging with a natural rapport with crowd and material alike. Meanwhile Field Division isn’t a band name you’d associate with a duo playing folk-ish music influenced by the Laurel Canyon scene, and “Buckingham Nicks, Led Zeppelin, All Things Must Pass (and) The Beatles” but then sometimes it’s great to have a name that doesn’t instantly indicate a genre (Goatfucker aren’t going to attracting the curious from the mainstream really, are they?). As always, the Picks recommend getting to every show early to check out your friendly neighbourhood support band and this gig is no exception.
Lantern: Wednesday, 25 Apr
Walking away from a much loved and critically acclaimed band is quite the big step, but GLP has managed to do so with aplomb. He has built a sterling back catalogue since the demise of Grant Lee Buffalo and has roamed through all sorts of genre highways & byways. A committed performer he arrives with a new recording to draw from – Widdershins – and it’s a charged affair that will surely ignite on stage. Meanwhile in a month packed with good support acts, it’s excellent to note that Jarrod Dickenson will be opening this show – his gig at the Louie last year was frankly stunning and even featured a medical emergency…no, really.
Although originally booked for the Lantern this show was upgraded to the Anson Rooms and has promptly sold out. So if you have a ticket well done; if you don’t then you’re missing out on a night of thoroughly modern bluegrass. The fellas originate from the delightfully named Regina, Saskatchewan and describe themselves as “Mumford and Sons’ evil twins” (slightly more palatable than “trust fund wurzels” for sure, but slightly less funny) suggesting a wry sense of humour. This theory is supported by their description of the way their second LP Illusion & Doubt is an evolution from the first in that it songs are “a more mature take on lovin’, cheatin’, killin’ and drinkin”. Which sounds like a great soundtrack to a Saturday night. If you’ve got a ticket. If you haven’t then this gig clash won’t be a problem because on the very same night you can catch some blues….
Cheese n Grain: Saturday, 28 Apr
There are plenty of electric blues guitar players out there, and a plethora of blues rock bands as regular readers (viewers? clickers?) will know, but Mr Bibb has found a different blues. A blues that is predominantly acoustic and draws from world music, folk and more to deliver refreshing alternative to other players in thrall to authenticity. He’s remarkably prolific too, latest outing Migration Blues is his 21st studio LP and 37th recording in total. Like many recent releases it’s inspired by current affairs – comparing the plight of modern day refugees with that of former slaves and sharecroppers migrating from the rural South to the North of America (and bringing with them the blues). I guess the abundance of inspiring and invigorating music is the silver lining on the cloud of right wing fuck-wittery dominating politics lately. Go to the show and get your mojo recharged.
Further Ahead:
As always there’s plenty of beards, blues and twang coming up and shows announced as far ahead as November (and don’t put off booking gigs for the arse end of the year – Blackberry Smoke will sell out for instance). So check your diary and check you budget, there’s plenty to tempt. And don’t forget the fabulous River Town Festival is back for its fourth year, individual gigs will be featured from next month but you can find out more here – and get tickets sorted as these events will sell out.
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Old Duke: Wednesday, 02 May
Eric Bibb, St. Georges: Friday, 04 May
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Stable: Saturday, 05 May
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Lantern: Sunday, 06 May
Brothers Osbourne, Academy: Monday, 07 May
John Wheeler, Tunnels: Wednesday, 09 May
Hannah Williams, Lantern: Saturday, 12 May
Deep Dark Woods, Tunnels: Tuesday, 15 May
I’m with Her, Station: Wednesday, 16 May
The Shires, Colston Hall: Wednesday, 16 May
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Golden Lion: Saturday, 19 May
The Rosellys, Golden Lion: Sunday, 20 May
King King, Cheese n Grain: Saturday, 26 May
Elles Bailey, Tunnels: Thursday, 31 May
Gretchen Peters, St. Georges: Saturday, 02 Jun
Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay, Wardrobe: Tuesday, 05 Jun
Ragged Union, Horseshoe: Wednesday, 06 Jun
Lamont Dozier, St. Georges: Monday, 11 Jun
Ragged Union, Blue Lagoon: Friday, 06 Jul
Ruzz Guitar, Louisiana: Thursday, 12 Jul
Catfish, Tunnels: Saturday, 04 Aug
Rev Peyton & His Big Damn Band, Thekla: Wednesday, 22 Aug
Red Ray & the Reprobates, Old Duke: Thursday, 30 Aug
Devon Allman, Fleece: Sunday, 02 Sep
Blackberry Smoke, Academy: Sunday, 11 Nov
Midland, Trinity: Tuesday, 27 Nov
Pic by Arnie Goodman
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