Here, fusing the genres of country, goth, and rockabilly, is Miss Derringer, with Click Click (Bang Bang) from Winter Hill. There’s a cake-fight in the first minute and a half or so, and it only gets better from there. Also notable: Liz McGrath’s epically fabulous hat.
First, check out this video:
Freaking adorable, and a great pairing of vocals between Hayes Carll and Cary Ann Hearst. The song, “Another Like You”, is off of Carll’s latest album KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories).
Now here’s the really good part: You could win a copy of KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) on warm, delicious vinyl. Just drop a comment below with your favorite opposites-attract pairing for a chance to win. Deadline is July 28, 2011 at 5 PM EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on July 29.
I don’t know where this was filmed, but I’m pretty sure it was not Santa Monica. Geographical inconsistancies aside, it’s one of my favorite Everclear songs. I’m also pleased to report that there seems to be a new record on the way!
Kasey Anderson and the Honkies are from both Seattle and Portland, and are Kasey Anderson on vocals, guitar, percussion, Andrew KcKeag (Presidents of the United States of America) on guitar, vocals, Eric Corson (The Long Winters) on bass, and Mike Musburger (The Posies, The Supersuckers) on drums.
Heart of a Dog is the result of Anderson’s desire to move beyond being a solo artist and “just make a rock n’ roll record” and, dear readers: he, the band, and their all-star guest stars (Jenny Comlee of the Decemberists and Dave Harding of Richmond Fontaine, among others) have most definitely succeeded.
I’ve been carrying the songs around with me for a while now, and listening to them in all kinds of situations: while studying for exams, while on the train, and now, poolside, and they always improve both my mood and my day, whether I apply them directly or they float up on shuffle.
I can’t really isolate one or two favorites for you – the whole record is strong – but I can say that the slow dirty burn of Let The Wrong Light In was an especially fantastic contrast to the anodyne confines of law school. I’m also fond of My Baby’s a Wrecking Ball and Kasey Anderson’s Dream.
Here’s Let The Wrong Light In in video form so you can listen for yourself. Be sure to turn it up:
The Dollyrots, of Los Angeles, are also signed to Blackheart Records. They started out in Florida in 2000 and later moved to Los Angeles; Brand New Key (The Rollerskate Song) started out as a folk song in the early ’70s – it was originally sung by Melanie – and here is a pop-punk gem.
Thinking about this post and trying to find a way to encapsulate some nine hours of great music and great people leaves me wanting to write “You should have been there” and leave it at that. But that isn’t fair to anyone, especially not the amazing performers who fueled the night.
Each artist who took the stage Saturday brought something special with them, from the endearing charm of Boom Chick (and drummer Moselle Spiller’s brilliant scream) to the explosive energy of Molly Gene to the hypnotic skill of Mississippi Gabe Carter to the dirty magic that occurs when Left Lane Cruiser sits in with Mark Porkchop Holder. Every act was worth keeping an eye on.
Confession: I didn’t keep an eye on every act. In fact, it seems I missed two of the best sets of the night: Ten Foot Polecats and Left Lane Cruiser. Instead, I was carousing in the bar like some sort of scenester. But with an event like DBF, part of the package is meeting and hanging out with great people – the kind of people who don’t roll their eyes or just quietly humor you when you go on and on about blues music (or music in general). The kind of people who love music so much they’ll travel thousands of miles to play it. Or even just to listen to it.
Boom Chick led the way with a big helping of ’50s rock ‘n’ roll mixed in with their blues, most notably on their original tunes like “Sweaty, Sweaty Dress”, “The Ghost of Bo Diddley” (the barnstormer of a tune that closed their set) and a Link Wray/surf music-inspired instrumental. They also pulled up a couple of covers, like Diddley’s “White Horse” and Robert Johnson’s “Me and the Devil”, which was given a fascinating new dimension by Spiller’s drums.
Next up was Old Gray Mule featuring C.W. Ayon who played a sweet little set full of great covers and bad jokes. C.R. Humphrey’s great guitar-playing led the way while Ayon supplied great vocals and drumming on songs by Robert Belfour, T-Model Ford, R.L. Burnside and originals like “Ass Whoopin'” and “Back in the Day”, a song about T-Model Ford.
Now here’s where my notes end as I really began to enjoy myself. Mississippi Gabe Carter played a beautiful set of slow blues, belting out gripping vocals while accompanying himself masterfully on his National Map guitar. Songs included “Black Woman”, “Skinny Woman”… and other titles that don’t have the word “woman” in them. (I mentioned that I stopped taking notes, right?)
Cashman brought some dirty into the mix, along with one of the smilingest drummers I’ve ever seen. Ray Cashman is one of the most intimidating-looking blues musicians since Howlin’ Wolf, but like Wolf, Cashman flashed a ready smile.
For me, the musical highlight of the night was Molly Gene One Whoaman Band. Armed with a guitar, a fantastic foot drum and occasional harmonica, Molly Gene is pure fury, stomping the ever-lovin’ shit out of the beat while howling with a voice so gravel-ridden that your throat starts to feel raw just listening to her. If you took the individual talents of men like John Wesley Myers, Scott H. Biram and Bob Log III, you’d still need to throw in a few mule kicks to match the ferocity of Molly Gene. She played awesome originals like “Bumble Bee” and “I Need Me a Man” and tied the bow in the ribbon of winning my heart forever by cover the Coasters’ “Down in Mexico”.
I was in and out for the Misery Jackals, but the locals had an excited fan base hooting in the audience and boasted the lone bass player of the night.
Then I completely missed the Ten Foot Polecats set, which was a mistake because this happened:
Long and lanky Ted Drozdowski led the Scissormen through an energetic set which saw Drozdowski come down from the stage, climb onto chairs, set his guitar on tables to play it and, at one point, set the guitar in my hands to play it, eventually weaving his way into the back bar for some stool-climbing before coming back to the stage. There’s a reason Drozdowski also played M.C. for the night.
Being a Black Diamond Heavies fan, I was not about to miss Mark Porkchop Holder, who was in the original lineup of the band. Holder did not disappoint, playing smooth slide steel as he sang about folks like Deliah and Stagger Lee. And, as mentioned before, Brenn Beck and Joe Evans of Left Lane Cruiser joined Holder toward the end to put some grit behind the slide.
And then I proceeded to miss Left Lane Cruiser. I know, I know. I was busy having adventures. I will see those guys play eventually, I swear.
Sadly, the Staving Chain and Javier & the Innocent Sons weren’t able to play the show.
As praiseworthy as all the performances were, equally deserving of praise was the stellar job Ted Drozdowski and Jim Chilson did of organizing and running the event. It was great to see original DBF organizer Chris Johnson in the audience, enjoying the show, as the concept he started found a new life in capable hands.
Can’t wait for next year.
And now, on the other end of the glam metal / hard rock spectrum, here is Guns n’ Roses with Welcome to the Jungle. My favorite part of this one is the quick-cut between “Axel Rose, country boy getting off the bus chewing on an actual hayseed” (I never noticed this absurdity before) and “Axl Rose, teased-hair, leather-trousers-clad ROCK STAR”:
A review of Deep Blues Festival 2011 is forthcoming… but since I spent most of yesterday trying to recover from it (so you know it was good), the review isn’t here yet. But the Feel Bad For You July mix, featuring contributions from the usual band of rabble rousers and miscreants, is here. Please enjoy responsibly.
Song: T.V.A.
Artist: the everybodyfields
Album: Half-Way There: Electricity and the South
Submitted by: Brad Kelley
Comments: To me, this song is almost perfect. Great lyrics about a real historical event from the area I grew up in (I’m sure my relatives would have taken this view), great harmonies and picking, and it really sets a mood.
Title: Let it Ride
Artist: Buffalo Killers
Album: Let it Ride (2008)
Submitted By: Popa2unes
Comments: Buffalo Killers, guitarist and vocalist Andrew Gabbard, bass guitarist and vocalist Zachary Gabbard and drummer Joseph Sebaali. The band was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2006
Title: “Everywhere With Helicopterâ€
Artist: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Album: Sing For Your Meat: A Guided By Voices Tribute (2011)
Submitted by: The Second Single
Comments: A fantastic, original take on a Robert Pollard classic.
Title: Ex Ballerina
Artist: The Gadjits
Album: Today is My Day (2002)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow)
Comments: The Gadjits started out as ska-punk proteges of Tim Armstrong (Rancid) but by their third album developed a more pop/rootsy rock sound. This song reminds me of what its like being in your early to mid teens when you fall for someone for the dumbest reasons. It could be called Ex Girlfriend or Ex whatever and you’d still know what he’s talking about.
Title: Ghost
Artist: Damion Soumi
Album: What a Wonderful Game (2009)
Submitted By: Autopsy IV
Comments: local(ish) artist I just found out about.
Title: Two Against One
Artist: Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi featuring Jack White and Norah Jones
Album: Rome (2011)
Submitted By: @mikeorren
Comments: Inspired by Italian film soundtracks.
Title: Indivisible
Artist: The Dirtbombs
Album: We Have You Surrounded (2008)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I have a friend who believes Mick Collins is the perfect man. I’m not about to argue.
Title: The Fifty Percenter
Artist: Rich Hopkins & Billy Sedlmayr
Album: The Fifty Percenter (2001)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: I can’t believe the year is half-over. Recognizing that reality, I’m submitting the title track from Rich Hopkins’ 2001 release. Hopkins was the iconic guitarist for Tucson’s The Sidewinders (later known as The Sand Rubies). His guitar talents continue on this release. With vocals from Billy Sedlmayer, the combined sound is a more subdued, polished, even versatile sound than when Hopkins was with The Sidewinders/Sand Rubies. Yes, I submitted a track by The Sidewinders last month. Yes, I got good feedback. Yes, the song title fits this month. No, I won’t apologize for going back-to-back on Hopkins-related music.
Title: Smokey Factory Blues
Artist: Albert Hammond
Album: The Free Electric Band (1973)
Submitted by: Erschen
Comments: He’s best known for his hit It Never Rains In Southern California but I’m really liking this track.
Title: One Hand in the Furnace
Artist: Wrinkle Neck Mules
Album: Let the Lead Fly (2009)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: Favourite track from my favourite Wrinkle Neck Mules album, apparently a new album’s due end of the year – looking forward to that.
Title: Land It
Artist: Vulture Whale
Album: self-titled (2007)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel
Commentary: So I’ve totally submitted this song to this mixer group before. I don’t care, it’s my favorite song ever…I know a lot of folks who feel this way too…This list includes some of my favorite music snob friends and some members of some of my favorite bands.
Title: Western Town
Artist: Kill County
Album: The Year of Getting By (2010)
Submitted By: Slowcoustic
Comments: Always a sucker for a slowed down jam with a bit of country twang. Kill County has been an out of nowhere kick in the teeth for me and I can’t get enough of this album (what should have been a top 10 of 2010 if I had only heard them earlier). This is what I consider real country music and its frickin’ great.
Title: 3 AM
Artist: 13ghosts
Album: unreleased
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Possibly my favorite song I’ve heard this year. Hoping it appears on their new album coming out this month.
Title: Helter Skelter
Artist: Matt Jorgensen +451
Album: Another Morning (2008)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: I’ve been on a bit of jazz bender recently, so I thought I’d toss something a bit different into the FBFY mix this month.
Title: Glory Bound
Artist: Martin Sexton
Album: Black Sheep (1996)
Submitted By: Phil Norman | @philnorman | www.bluemoonshineband.com
Comments: I’m making a mistake I’ve gotta make, and then I’m glory bound.
Title: Ragged But Right
Artist: Riley Puckett
Album: from a long time ago
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: original and best version of this song
Title: Family Tradition
Artist: Hank Williams Jr.
Album: Live and Drunk (bootleg; year unknown)
Submitted by: Adam Sheets
Title: Grandpa Carl
Artist: The Warped 45s
Album: Matador Sunset (2011)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: A song about bootlegging booze from Canada to Detroit during
prohibition. This is an up-and-coming alt country band from Toronto.
I saw them open for the Drive-By Truckers about a year and a half ago.
Title: Look At Miss Ohio (Live)
Artist: Blind Pilot
Submitted By: Cowbelle78 / morecowbelle.net
These two gentlemen are Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, the twin sons of Ricky and Kristin Nelson. This song is from their first record, After the Rain, released in 1990. True confession: I totally bought it, and may even still have the tape somewhere.
This video is a thing of beauty and a joy forever for their outfits alone. There’s the matching artfully ripped jeans, in the beginning, which are followed by a series of epic costume changes. I spent at least a minute trying to decide if the one on the left – I think it’s Gunnar, but I can’t be sure – was wearing red legwarmers or especially fancy boots in the first several frames on the stage, and I’ve decided those are boots which look like legwarmers. In any case, they’re fabulous.
As you watch this, I want you to contemplate the magic of a couple hundred college kids in various stages of inebriation (some still clutching their red solo cups) shouting along to the lyrics and trying to do this dance. Because that was at least a few of my Saturday nights in 1993.
