Lokal Loudness 2000 : Store

MARCH / APRIL 2007

STONEY SPEAKS
Does Downtown Got the Balls?
With all the talk about bringing the Greenjackets downtown courtesy of a new baseball stadium the focus has been on any benefits that may occur from such a move. But how many of these positives are REALLY positive?
Sure baseball would bring more people downtown and of course that will mean more income for downtown businesses. Or will it? Could moving baseball downtown hurt attendance. Maybe those who currently travel from West Augusta to games will not be willing to go downtown for games. As for spending more money downtown, would a person already planning on spending money at the game come beforehand for dinner or stay downtown afterwards. After a few beers and some hot dogs at the game why would someone hang out elsewhere instead of just heading home for the night? Why wouldn't they eat at home or in West Augusta before heading to the game?
Of course before this can even happen the powers that be must first agree on a spot. Sure the Augusta Golf and Gardens would be perfect but is Augusta willing to part with a downtown golf connection despite its inability to make money? Logic says yes. Typical Augusta government logic says "not so fast".
Just some things to ponder: The Golf and Gardens loses money continually yet it took David Moretz to make sure that downtown would have lights in time for Christmas because the city didn't have the money or manpower to do it. Surely the money it takes to operate the Golf and Gardens alone would be enough for Christmas lights, as well as decorations for Hannukah, Kwanza and every other winter holiday with plenty left. So if Augusta can't squeeze bucks out of the coffers while a bunch of statues and shrubbery dine on green while Broad Street is bare on Christmas then what are the chances of getting rid of this money muncher in exchange for some baseball?
Another thing to consider is what AREA of downtown will this help? Will it add to all of downtown? Maybe throw some new vigor into the Riverwalk area. The days of events surrounded by the restaurants and bars by the 8th street fountain is merely just a memory now. Especially since the creation of the Commons. Aside from the river area, will downtown baseball steer more people to Broad Street?
Has anyone even thought about other things such as parking and traffic? I know that a lot has been said about the large amount of parking that would be available for a new stadium but would it really be enough? Will people choose to park elsewhere? Will people feel safe leaving there cars parked downtown? Some of these questions need to be answered. Some just come with the territory and there's little that can be done either way.
Does downtown WANT baseball? If so is it willing to do whatever proactive tasks it may take to make it happen. Furthermore, as we've learned here in Augusta, would it even matter? After all, in Augusta it's not about what the people want..right?
So all Downtown Augusta business can do is try and play hard ball (no pun intended) to make this happen if they want it to happen. Will it be good for downtown? Who knows only time will tell. Will Augusta overall embrace downtown baseball? Maybe. If not, those beautiful South Carolinians across the bridge probably will.
PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK
Those of you who know me know that the thing that irritates me more than anything are drivers who are too lazy to use their turn signal. I guess I was wrong. People that have one blown headlight and instead of fixing it or using arm signals who use their hazards or opposite turn signal to let the person behind them know that they're turning irritate me even more. Just this morning I was behind a guy driving in a near crawl with his left hand turn signal on. With pretty much a whole other lane on the guys right I figured I'd go around and be on my merry way. Imagine my surprise when the guy turns right as I start to pass! I stopped and avoided getting hit. He stopped. I yelled. He replied: "my right hand signal is out". To which I replied: well you're left hand signal in no way tells me that you're going to turn right". To which he replied: "what else could I have done". I ended the conversation by adding: "try using arms signals or just get the damn thing fixed!
What happened to the days when a cop would ticket someone for not using a turn signal or misusing one?

THE MORETZ MANTRA
In Downtown Augusta small things matter….and make a BIG difference!
If everyone stopped for just a moment to look around I’m sure you’ll find something that needs fixing or cleaning.
If everyone took the time to pick up one, small piece of trash and deposit it in the ‘appropriate’ container our downtown will become a model for what can happen if everyone took the time to ‘make a difference’.
In this world it is the small things that matter. It is the small things that add up to big transformations.
Don’t wait for others ‘to do it’. Make a change---make a difference---be part of a better Downtown Augusta! (Ps,..Holler @ Trav!)
David Moretz
More Small Things to Make a Difference Next Month...In the Moretz Mantra!

VEARA
They've wowed audiences over and over again at Sector 7G. Their performances are some of the most intense you'll find anywhere. Now just fresh from recording in New Jersey, Augusta band Veara was chained down and put to the verbal test by Lokal Loudness. Read on to find out just how vocalist Ian Reese, guitarists Patrick Bambrick and Collin Colohan, bassist Bryan Kerr, drummer Brittany Harrell and keyboard player Cory Rodgers answered under the extreme pressure of our interrogations!

LL-So guys, after being up North for a while, how does it feel to be back home?
BH- It feels awesome to be back home. There ain't nothing like the south.
CC-Amazing. We had alot of fun in New York and New Jersey, but I personally missed the southern weather. Snow is cool the first week you have to drive in it. Haha.
CR- Honestly, a little boring. In New York, there was always something to do, but now that we are back in Augusta, aside from seeing family and friends, there's just not as many things to do. I'm ready to go on tour.
BK: Its good but I can't wait to get back out on the road and tour.
PB-it's okay I was really happy to see pine trees again.

LL-What did you miss most about being away from home?
BH- I missed my family, friends, and warmer weather.
CC- I missed my family and my girlfriend alot and my own bed. Oh, and sweet tea.
CR- my own car, and home-cooked meals.
BK: My family and my girlfriend.
PB-my cat.
IR-warm weather.

LL-On the other hand, what did you ENJOY most about being away from home?
BH- I enjoyed being up there with my friends having a good time.
CC- Having the chance to live with the band for a long period of time. We've been together on short tours, but never for that long. It was an awesome learning experience.
CR-Not going to college.
BK: I really enjoyed the music scene.
PB- Bodegas!

LL-So we know you guys did a little recording. How'd that go and where did that happen?
BH- Yeah we recorded up there with Rob Freeman. His studio was in NJ where it was VERY cold. Haha.
CC- We recorded at The Pilot Studio with Rob Freeman (Hit The Lights, Cobra Starship). It went really well. It was my first time being in the studio that long and I loved every second of it.
CR- It was stressful. There was a lot we had to get done, and sometimes it felt really like we weren't going to get all we needed finished. At the same time, if was really exciting.
BK: it went well but it was a lot more work than I expected. It happened in jersey at the pilot studios.
PB-it was in New Jersey and it was awesome!

LL-So we can expect to hear the results of this recording when...?
BH- We are shooting for an early May release date.
CC- We actually should have a single and video out in the next month or so. The album should be out early this May.
CR- Last time I heard, it was suppose to come out this spring on Wisteria Records.
BK: spring of 07.

LL-And what can fans here at home expect different from this upcoming release in comparison to past Veara recordings?
BH- It's going to be so awesome that it melts your face off.
CC- The full length actually has some "redos" ,if you will, of some older stuff as well as the new songs. Fans can expect way more hooks, heavier guitar parts and lots of other goodies. Haha. I think people are going to be able to see how the band has grown with the newer material.
CR- Better recordings and more keyboards.
BK: the new stuff sounds like an out of control powertool being dropped on the ground.
PB-keyboards.

LL-So getting back to you guys being home. What was the first thing everyone did when you got back?
BH- The first thing I did when I got back was take a shower.
CC- Haha. I went to Zaxby's and had chicken wings and sweet tea.
CR- I had dinner with my mother, and then went home and washed clothes.
BK: slept. and hugged my dog.
PB- I had sweet tea and hushpuppies from T's (it was my southern rejuvination!)

LL-I noticed Veara has three area shows in the upcoming weeks in three seemingly different kinds of venues. What was the reason behind booking these three different lokal shows so close together?
BH- So that we can play to everyone.
CC- Well, we wanted to allow fans of different backgrounds to see us. A person who goes to The Shade coffee shop may be too young to go to the Soul Bar or their parents might not let them go to Sector 7g. We just wanted to give everyone a chance to see us.
CR- We just want to give everybody a chance to come to a Veara show, no matter where you from or what age you are.
BK: the reason for it is bc we have been away for so long, we wanted to play a lot locally before we got back on the road.
PB- to reach out to all the age groups in Augusta.

LL-So speaking of shows, you guys came and hung out at the Lokal Loudness Choice Awards and before it was all over, took home the award for favorite lokal CD of 2006. Were you suprised? What did you think when "Veara" was announced as the winner?
BH- I was very surprised. I didn't expect us to win anything.
CC- Absolutely! There was alot of good local music this year, so I was pretty stoked when we were announced the winner. Now lets hope the full length does just as well. Haha.
CR-I was extremely suprised!!! I couldn't believe we won off of a three song demo. It's awesome to know that your hometown is behind what you are doing.
BK: yes I was surprised. I wasn't able to be there I was attending my cousin's wedding but when patrick called me I thought to myself "holy shit I can't believe that we actually got nominated and won". The only other reward I've ever received in my life was a 2nd place trophy for flag football in middle school. So this was a big deal for me.
PB- I was shocked and I honestly didn't think that we would've won an award but it was cool though!(laughs)

LL-So with all this momentum building up how do you guys plan to keep it growing?
BH- We're going to tour our butts off.
CC- Well we have the album coming out soon and our east coast tour starts in just a few weeks.
CR- By touring as much as we can in the next year.
BK: Touring, writing new material, and more guitar spins.
PB- doing work!

LL-OK guys, one final question...now that you guys are gonna be on the road a ton...what's the most vital thing a band needs on tour?
BH- Food, Water, and deodorant.
CC- Hmmm. I would have to say a camera. Cause when a grown man is in his underwear at the gas station, you dont want to miss it. Your browser may not support display of this image.
CR- Money!!!
BK: duck tape, red bull, and taco bell. that's it.
PB- absolutely without a doubt...Duct-tape.

LL-Thanks guys!
BH- Thank you!
CC- Anytime Stoney, Thanks Again.
PB- Thank you.

THE EDISON PROJECT
When a band has a year that makes people stand up, take notice, and vote enough to nominate them for 5 or more awards it would be easy to just sit back and rest on some tired out laurels. Maybe for some bands, but not for Augusta's own Edison Project. In addition to bagging a fave lokal band award, vocalist/guitarist Dave Firmin, lead guitarist Rino Mendoza and brothers Zach (drums) and Micah (bass) Swenson have already made plans to make 2007 even bigger than last year!

LL-First of, congratulations on being named Augusta's favorite band for 2006! How's it feel to know that the peeps in Augusta love some Edison Project?
DF - It feels great! We're honored because Augusta has such a great music scene that offers just about something for everybody.

LL-Dave, you seemed surprised about winning the favorite vocalist award. Why so surprised?
DF - I guess I was suprised because I never think of myself as an individual sticking out you know? Its always about the band as a whole. the Edison entity, not Dave Firmin OF the Edison Project. I don't know, maybe I'm sounding rediculuous, but I know there are alot of great singers I was up against, and I think they kick alota rock, so yeah, I was suprised. Justifibly suprised.

LL-So all the talk recently has been about the Edison Project's hot new recording. Who's this hot shot producer you guys hooked up with and what is going to come of this recording?
DF - Well the producers name is Don Dixon, He produced REM's first two records and many Smithereens records. Recording with him was an artful project man, we really enjoyed it. Whats gonna come of this recording, well hopefully alot; we're gonna put it out there, see if we get any bites from labels, there has already been interest and whatnot, so we're really positive that this record is gonna help us move around a bit you know? We're really excited about the future and especially this coming year. We wanna be on the road alot and just play. Thats what it's all about. We want to get the cd into people's hands and then play live for them. We just wanna play.

LL-With all the great bands in Augusta what do you think it is about the Edison Project that has pushed you guys to the top of the ladder lokally?
DF - That sounds like a trick question...I don't want to sound pompous, and usually when someone says that, they're about to say something pompous, but I'll try to refrain. I think it has to do with the kind of hook-heavy, harmony heavy rock that we do. With each member of the band, our musical tastes are so different that our show has something for everybody. The kids seem to like, and so do their parents you know? That wasn't something we sat down one day and decided to do, we just kind of grew into the entity I was talking about earlier, and became edisonized.

LL-What are some other bands, in your humble opinion, that "bring it" lokally?
DF - Definantly Hello Lefty. We love those guys. None of us have had a chance to see Veara yet, but I talked to Patrick the other day at the awards, and we had a gearhead moment, so based on that, I can't wait to see them the word on the street is that they most def. bring it. A lot of the bands that brought it back in the day when there were a lot more bands around were some of our best friends. The Livingroom Legends, Blue Collar Blue Heart, and especially our homeboys from the southside, JJ Maj and the Unpolished Brass.

LL-So I've been asked this lately, and to be honest, I've wondered myself, why did Micah and Rino switched instruments? Was it a caual thing that just happened over time or what?
DF - Actually it wasn't a casual thing at all, they were in the car one day, and Micah turned to Rino and said, "Reen we should switch instruments cause you're better at guitar than me, and I'm better at bass than you" and Rino just said OK. and that was that!

LL-So will you and Zach be switching spots anytime soon?
DF - Hahaha......that'd be a negative.

LL-So Edison Project has some pretty cool songs, does the whole band write these little ditties or do they mainly start off as your compositions?
DF - Originally most of Edison's songs were my compositions, but as of late, the band has been writing alot together, and as individuals..to give you an example, on the new record, which has 11 songs on it, Rino has one song on it, Micah has two on it, Zach has two on it, and I have five on it, and we all wrote "you and me" together.

LL-So if you could pick one person that you could call like, the "Fifth Edison", who would that be and why?
DF - The Fifth Edison would probably, in my opinion since I'm the one doin this interview, it would be Paul Sterett. Paul was our original manager and close friend and really helped us get our feet off the ground. He's a brother to us. Always will be. We love him.

LL-Here's something we haven't asked anyone in a while: What moment since the Edison Project started sticks out the most in you guys' minds?
DF - For me, When we were in NC doing the record, at one point I looked around me, and Zach and I looked at each other. Then Zach asked me - "Did you ever think when we started this band in High School that we'd be leaving town to record with a great producer in a studio this nice?" and then we just sat there. It was a great moment for me.

LL-OK, so awards and past moments behind, what can we expect from the Edison Project in 2007?
DF - Big things man, big things...watch out for us.

LL-Alright, thanks for sharin'!
DF - Thank you Stoney, and thank everybody for supporting us and all the rest of the great bands in Augusta!! peace. love. rock N roll

HELLO LEFTY
They're young, fun, inventive and wildly popular. Winners of the fave all-ages band award the past two years, HELLO LEFTY are a fave of not only their audience, but other artists on the Augusta musical landscape. HELLO LEFTY (guitarist/vocalsit Pete Cumishy, multi-instrumentalists Adam Mizell and Ryan Moore, drummer Michael Gonzalez and bassist Jack Craig) aren't just your typical young band.

LL-OK, for the folks out there who are new to Hello Lefty, where'd you guys hook up? What's the story guys?
HL - What feels like millenia ago, we (Michael, Peter, and Adam) started playing Weezer covers together in middle school. Pretty soon, Jack started playing with us and we started making our own music. We went through about nine name changes, everyone except for Adam quit the band at some point, and eventually we decided on Hello Lefty and started playing shows more seriously. After about a year and a half as Hello Lefty, Ryan (formerly of The Company) joined the band. After years of mining, we've finally found a ROCK.

LL-Now I can remember when you were just a new bunch of guys with a funny name...c'mon, tell us the name story again.
HL - Our friend Craig was in a terrifying B-Ball accident just before we began trying to decide on a name. He was hip-checked and suffered quite the tangle. He had to get a jewel removed, and upon discussing these events, the name Hello Lefty sprang into existence.

LL-Ok so now here we are a couple of years later, you guys have a rabid youthful following, a couple of Choice Awards, how have you guys managed to maintain such momentum while remaining so vastly different from anyone else in Augusta?
HL - Hello Lefty kind of started off sounding different already, but less controlled. We all knew we didn't want to play just one type of music; we wanted each song to be different. Each of us plays in a different style, and each of our styles gets thrown together and eventually grows into something we like. It's hard to explain. It just happens.

LL-So you guys used to be the new guys, now your practically vets, who are the new guys coming up that you feel have what it takes to build the type of following that Hello lefty has built?
HL - Down with Delilah is a younger group that we're friends with. They are all cool guys that will make an impression here as they play more.

LL-So like we mentioned before, you guys are different than just about anyone else on the Augusta music scene. What kind of influences went into making this Hello Lefty sound?
HL - Surf-rock, hair metal, keyboards, dragons, superpowers, law & order, action, young love.

LL-OK, so I know I rib on Pete being cute and all, but seriously, who do all the chicks out there scream for the most in Hello Lefty?
HL - Michael, I mean seriously, have you seen him.

LL-OK, now that we've had our fun. You guys have created some great tunes. Fun, entertaining, great for the live setting. When is Augusta gonna get some new stuff from Hello Lefty on CD?
HL - Soon, hopefully. We're finishing up some recordings, and starting on some that we'll do on our own. We'll have all of the material we don't already have recorded on a disk, hopefully to be released at the end of this summer.

LL-Out of all the Hello Lefty tunes, which one do you guys feel is the signature Hello Lefty song?
HL - We'd probably say Blank Eyes, because it captures our sound pretty well - it's high energy, dancy, and has a mix of synth and surf rock. Thats the one our audience tends to move the most to.

LL-So how have the bands goals changed from the beginning to now in 2007?
HL - We started off just trying to play a lot around Augusta, starting with the Hangnail and moving on to Sector 7G, and moved to expanding our horizons. We've played a lot of the venues here, but now we're focused on getting our name around outside of Augusta, and going on tour this summer. We're going to be in Athens next year, so we'll be basing everything out there soon.

LL-Any chance you guys might take the show on the road before then?
HL - We've started work scheduling some short, weekend tours and are working towards going on about a two-week tour over the summer.

LL-Well guys, it's been a pleasure?
HL - Hasn't it?

ALLISON FOSTER
She has been praised by the likes of Big Al Beasley and American Skin's Bryan Panowich. Her songs are sometimes felt in the most gutteral of places. She's the furthest thing from an Augusta pop diva. Allison Foster is a rock chick through and through. Just ask any of the guys.
With just enough sass to toughen up the girls and the right amount of heart to soften up the guys, Augusta's Allison Foster has arrived to chip a new notch in the belt of Augusta female musical history!

LL-First off, you just seemed to drop out of nowhere last year, who exactly is this acoustic gal rocker known as Allison Foster?
AF-Wellllll im just me. I'm not sure if there is anyway to pin point the whole essence of Allison Foster [laughing]. Listen to the words in my songs and you'll get a pretty good idea.

LL-So who and what drove you to get into this singer-songwriter biz?
AF-Life. It's the craziest thing sometimes ! The good, the bad, the in between; that's what drives me to write.

LL-On the other hand, what did you ENJOY most about being away from home?
AF-So know that you've done it for a while, whatcha like best about about the world of the singer-songwriter?
AF-The free beer! [Laughing] I'm joking! I love the fact that I get to meet incredible musicians. Augusta is filled with them I learn so much from them.

LL-Singer-Songwriters in the area have been known to move away, try other area. People like Steven Jackson, Tara Scheyer, and even Josh Pierce. Any plans on ditchin' us Augusta folks anytime soon?
AF-I have no plans on leaving, but who knows where i will be 10 years from now. I've lived in Atlanta before and I ended up coming back. I love it here. Augusta will always be my home.

LL-What about just gigging out of town anytime soon?
AF-I'm working on something in Atlanta, and hopefully I'll luck up. and maybe even find somewhere in Athens. I would like to venture out a lil bit. no worries though Augusta is still my home

LL-So decribe the ultimate gig.
AF-opening for Ani Difranco and Melissa Etheridge!!!!!! I would freak out!

LL-There are a few, maybe not a ton, but a few women performers here in Augusta. What makes Allison Foster different than the rest of them?
AF-[Laughing] It's the hair! nah I think its my voice. It's kinda different, and I'd like to think my style of writing and playing as well. I just want to convey how I felt at the time of writing the song to the audience. I have a lot of emotion in my music

LL-Now I know you've been asked, and we're gonna ask as well, cuz Big Al (Beasley) REALLY wants to know, when is Augusta gonna get a new Allison Foster CD?
AF-Soon!! I talked to Mr. Rob Boggs a few days ago. Hopefully I will be in the studio again sometime in april.

LL-And when we get this new platter, what can we expect?
AF-There will be some new stuff as well as old. I am planning on getting some people to play behind me add some drums. Stuff like that. I have a little more control over my voice since the last time I recorded so I am going to concentrate more on my pitches this time around.

LL-Any duets?
AF-Not on my cd, I did practice a song with American Skin last year unfortunatley we were not given the oppertunity to show it to the world. It's cool the world wasn't ready biatches! [Laughing] I am up for anything musically, so if I had offers sure, why not.

LL-Sorry, just funnin ya...but seriously, any duets? Sorry! Any parting words or shots for the Augusta peeps before ya go?
AF-Yes. To all my guys that are working hard playing the music every weekend, keep it up I love it! There are some kick ass bands here in Augusta and I am really glad I can be apart of the music here! Am Skin, Josh, Dave, Mr. Al : Thank you for all of your support! You guys rock my world! And Stoney thank you so much for helping the LOKAL music scence to be what it is. You are amazing. muah

LL-Thanks Allison!
AF-No problem! Thanks for having me =0)

NICK MITCHAM OF SAUSAGE FEST
LL-So what is the purpose behind SausageFest?
NM-Well, In my line of work I pay bands who I think will draw enough people to pay for itself. In a lot of cases I dont come near it. So on these shows we have these local bands that play / promote and walk away unpaid. Last year I got to thinking about ways I could make it up to these bands that were helping me out with my job. So I came up with this contest of Sausage Fest where the band that promotes the show the most wins a cash prize.

LL-Why the unusual name? Does it mean anything?
NM-The name is derived from a inside joke between me and some friends, haha.

LL-Who will be appearing at this years SausageFest?
NM-Well, we have a whole new lineup for this year, 15 bands versus last years 10 bands. SINKING, BULL DURHAM, GLASS BOTTOM BOAT , HELLO LEFTY, BRAINFREEZE, WHERE IT ENDS, DONT KILL THE FRESHMEN, AGNES, MEET MY CREW,A ROUGH SKETCH, PURSUIT OF ANGELS, DECIDE YOUR FINAL DAY, THE STRANGE VIEW,CAROLINA CASEY, H803.

LL-So Nick, what other events have you done? Who exactly is Nick Mitcham?
NM-haha. Well to be honest, I'm just a kid like all these other kids. I just can't play a guitar haha. I'm a music fanatic, anything to do with music I get into. I've done alot of shows over the past few years. I did "Independence Fest" a few years back. I've done both "Sausage Fest's," I did the "Job For A Cowboy," show and also did the popular "Riverboat Gamblers/Veara" show. I've dealt with a lot of bigger bands, that can be seen on my myspace [myspace.com/jams] there is a blog there with all the bigger ands I've booked.

LL-Will there be any activities other than bands playing?
NM-That may be something we look to do in the future, for now, all we're having is concessions, and bands playing.

LL-This is in a way, if I understand it correctly, a sort of battle of the bands...are there any spoils for the victor(s)?
NM-yeah, there are 3 cash prizes given to the top 3 bands. 1-500$, 2-200$, 3-100$.

LL-And finally, are there any plans for say, a BurgerFest or maybe Fowl Fest to go along with SausageFest?
NM-haha. I wish. There are plans for another fest or two this year. "Schools Out Show," is also going to be a local bands based show similar to Sausage Fest. But it will be for one of the first Saturday's that everyone is out of school.

TAILORED - TAILORED
One part classic rock, one part modern rock, several parts energy and passion, TAILORED is an Augusta band that bridges the power of rock and the emotion of Christianity. One listen to their self-titled debut release is enough to make anyone realize that fact.
Songs like "The Light" praise the almighty with a modern rock sacrifice along the lines of Nickelback or even Creed. The only difference being that TAILORED wears a southern heart on their collective sleeves and it shows. But while this lokal quartet can rock, their strength may lie in their ability to express emotion.
"By His Grace" is a great power ballad that could sit just as easily on a modern pop record as it could a new country album. But while this emotion might be their strength, found within could also be their greatest weakness.
TAILORED has all the attributes to make a great band except for possible one thing which in time could be cultured and refined. Overall the lyrics found on TAILORED debut are for the most part overly typical and filled with many overused catch phrase-esque lines. But like previously mentioned, that can be worked out with time.
The guys hit a great pop rock mode in "Holy One" possibly the best tune found on this release. With a little more vocal work in the studio including adding backing vocals this could go from being a good little tune to a great concert sing-a-long.
While this will never be deemed the end all of even area Christian releases it has enough qualities to please anyone into Christ and anything that sounds like John Mellencamp meets Nickelback. With a little work TAILORED could not only turn into a great Augusta Christian band but into something bigger.
To check out this music and more visit Tailored Online

THE YAYHOOS
PUT THE HAMMER DOWN
The Yayhoos play good ol' fashioned red blooded American rock & roll! Not surprising when you consider the Yayhoos are an American quartet made of mostly southern bred rockers. So how come it is then, an American band that most of American has never heard of, tours and performs for a rabid following in places such as Spain, Germany, Japan and the UK? First one must realize who the Yayhoos are.
All four Yayhoos are card carrying rock and roll vets with a resume thicker than a Shakespeare novel and muddier than a Mississippi dirt road after a rain storm. Guitarist Eric Ambel was a founding member of the Del-Lords AND Joat Jett's now famous Blackhearts and most recently was the lead guitarist for Steve Earl's band the Dukes. Terry Anderson has beat the skins for the likes of the Fabulous Knobs and has written songs recorded by Etta James and Jo Dee Messina. Bassist Keith Christopher was an original member of the Georgia Satellites and has toured with Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Paul Westerberg. And guitarist vocalist Dan Baird? Well you may remember him from a little ditty that just about every roadhouse band has covered called "Keep Your Hands to Yourself". Yep, we're talking Mr. Baird of those same Georgia Satellites. But enough of the players, what about the music?
"Put the Hammer Down" starts off with a clunky rocker called "Where's Your Boyfriend at?" courtesy of Anderson with vocals from Baird. This one even comes complete with a chunky bass solo and is the perfect jerky dance number. This number could have easily been on either of Baird's solo CD's or Anderson's Olympic Ass-Kicking Team release.
"All Dressed Up" is a fine blend of Izzy Stradlin, Stones and the Faces. Matter of fact, most of "Put the Hammer Down" lies in this territory with a few nasty blues stompers like "Never Give an Inch" or "Would It Kill" dropped in for maximum drinking effect. It's an easy mix drink of English Whiskey rock and Southern bar room blues.
Surely we've heard most of this before just not for a long time. Good fun rock & roll made for a sreamy backwoods friday night and a cold case of PBR. In a perfect world this would be an instant Camaro classic. Unfortunately in today's world it seems like only the English, Spanish and Japanese have good enough taste to appreciate such a delicious plate of good home-cooked rock & roll.
To check out Dan and the boys and to hear samples of the entire cd, visit the Yayhoos Online