Wussy (Trio) August 09, 2019 Ace of Cups Columbus, Ohio

Next to old friends, the thing I miss most about Ohio after moving to Florida in 2016, is the inability to see Wussy several time a year. Occasionally I get to vicariously attend a show as other fans recount their experiences on Facebook or otherwise. I was fortunate enough to recently become acquainted with Nick the sound guy at Ace of Cups through this blog. Seems we had attended some of the same shows back in the 80's. Anyway, through his generosity we can all enjoy this show.
This time out, the trio consisted of Cleaver, Walker-Hug and Messerly each playing their solo material and stripped down versions of Wussy (and Ass Ponys) tunes in a round-robin fashion, along with some great between song banter. Enjoy this one!

1. Shallow Grave
2. Donald Sutherland
3. Donny's Death Scene
4. The Worst of Us
5. Happiness Bleeds
6. Skip
7. Conversation Lags
8. Folk Night at Fucky's
9. Trail of Sadness
10. Gloria
11. Gen X Lament
12. Kung Fu Reference
13. Pizza King
14. Whispering
15. banter
16. Pretty As You Please
17. Crooked
18. Flowers and the Devil
19. Halloween
20. Terrible Friend

Download this show HERE.

Be sure to check out WussyWorld HERE.

Order their LPs/CDs directly from Shake It HERE.

Nick the sound guy has a great space where some of his other recordings are available. Fans of Wussy will be interested in the Swim Team show he has posted. You can get to that HERE.

Third Eye Blind November 16, 2019 Hard Rock Live Orlando, Florida

Hadn't paid much attention to these guys over the years, at least not since their first two albums. At that time, it was hard not to pay attention. They were everywhere. There has been a lot of chatter about their sixth, and latest effort, "Screamer" that came out October 18, 2019ish. Didn't get a chance to check it out prior to this show, but look forward to doing so in the near future. It's impressive that Stephan Jenkins and whoever may be in the band these days (its changed numerous times over the years) still strives to remain relevant by putting out new music, rather than hitting the nostalgia circuit like many of their contemporaries. I enjoyed this show. Lots of energy, enthusiasm and good ol' Rock-n-Roll. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, it's not work (or something like that). It's pretty apparent Stephan Jenkins hasn't worked a day in his life. Enjoy this one!

1. Thanks a Lot
2. Never Let You Go
3. Wounded
4. Can You Take Me/London
5. Graduate
6. Screamer
7. The Kids Are Coming (To Take You Down)
8. Walk Like Kings
9. Tropic Scorpio
10. Ways
11. Deep Inside Of You
12. Motorcycle Drive By
13. How Soon Is Now/Another Life
14. Palm Reader
15. Anything
16. Crystal Baller
17. Blinded (When I See You)
18. Jumper
19. band intro/Light It Up
20. encore break
21. Semi-Charmed Life
22. How's It Gonna Be (not recorded)

Download this show HERE. 
Photo credits to Ian Suarez
Visit their website HERE
Like them on FACEBOOK HERE
Go see this tour, buy their merch, check out "Screamer" at your favorite steaming service. Or better yet, buy a physical copy!

Elvis Costello and the Imposters November 11, 2019 Hard Rock Live Orlando, Florida

Elvis' "Just Trust" tour made one of its four Florida stops here in the Mickey City. It dawned on me as I was watching that I hadn't seen Elvis live in 30 years (4/18/1989) and this was going to be a much different show. Elvis and the band (Pete Thomas, Steve Nieve and Davey Faragher) sounded really good. The background vocalists (Briana Lee and Kitten Kuroi) were a nice addition- at first. They moved to a more prominent role midway through the set, which in my opinion was a bit much. Keeping them in the background would have made the show more enjoyable for me. Nice variety in the set list, and with as much material as Elvis has to choose from, it must have been tough narrowing it down. Notable omissions for me were Less Than Zero, (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea, This Year's Girl and The Beat. Be sure to visit (revisit) Elvis' huge back catalog as well as his 2018 effort "Look Now". Enjoy this one! 

1. Strict Time
2. Clubland
3. Green Shirt
4. banter
5. Accidents Will Happen
6. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
7. Little Triggers
8. Watch Your Step
9. Unwanted Number
10. Mystery Dance
11. Uncomplicated
12. Watching The Detectives
13. A Face In The Crowd
14. Blood and Hot Sauce
15. I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down
16. High Fidelity
17. Early In The Morning
18. From A Whisper To A Scream
19. Alison/I'm Going To Make You Love Me
20. Everyday I Write The Book/band intro
21. Pump It Up
22. (What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love and Understanding

Download this show HERE
Visit Elvis' website HERE
Photo credits to Jim Leatherman Photography

Bloody Jug Band January 26, 2019 Sloppy Taco Palace Orlando, Florida

I was turned on to this local band by a co-worker in response to my inquiry about local bluegrass/trashgrass bands to check out, that were abundant in my native Columbus, Ohio (a'la https://rumpkemountainboys.com/). Although nothing like my inquiry, these guys (and gal) are quite good, and just as intriguing as what I was hoping to find. As their name suggests, their original tunes are rather macabre in nature, but performed with lots of gusto, especially live. During these sets, they also threw in a handful of unconventional cover tunes to keep the party going. The husband and wife team of John and SJ Theisen trade off lead vocals, and there is a good bit of harmonica and washboard scratching going on as well. This was the second, and certainly not the last time I spend the evening with these guys. "Big fun" as my friends would say.

Download this show HERE.
Check them out on Facebook HERE.
Visit their website HERE where you can buy their music and merch.

Drivin N Cryin April 20, 2019 Veranda Live Orlando, Florida

When Fly Me Courageous came out in 1991, that song was in heavy rotation on the local alternative station back in Columbus, Ohio. I liked the song, so I bought the CD (of the same name). I played it many times then it sat on the shelf for a long time. I hadn't thought much about Drivin N Cryin for many years until I heard something, somewhere from 2009's The Great American Bubble Factory dics nearly 19 years later. I like that too. So much so that I started grabbing some of their back catalog, including 2018's Too Late to Turn Back Now, which I discovered was a reissue of their 1997 eponymous and 7th or 8th release, depending if you count a live EP. So, when I saw they were playing at this sweet little outdoor venue on the outskirts of Orlando, I was there. 

Kevin Kinney is a story teller. His songs are often anthems of the downtrodden, encouraged to simply be themselves, and love themselves for who they are while keeping a watchful eye on "the man" who often threatens or catches up to the characters he writes about. The downtrodden are sometimes victorious. His songs foster a feeling of brotherhood, with the (obviously) devoted fans singing along, cheering on those very characters that may eventually loose the rat race.
What a fabulous evening of entertainment. The weather was perfect (not 110 or 32 degrees, or even raining) as the last three times the band played in town. A good time was had by all! 

1. intro
2. Space Eyes
3. Spies
4. The Little Record Store Just Around the Corner
5. Scarred but Smarter
6. Shindig with the Lord
7. Jesus Christ!
8. Honeysuckle Blue
9. Live the Love Beautiful
10. If I'm Not There, I'll Be Here
11. For You
12. Let's Go Dancing
13. Step by Step
14. With the People
15. Build a Fire
16. Wild Dog Moon
17. unknown
18. Fly Me Courageous
19. Free Ain't Free
20. Straight to Hell

Download this show HERE.
Check out their website HERE.
Be sure to pick up the new Album, Live The Love Beautiful when it comes out on June 21, 2019.

   

Unknown Hinson February 22, 2019 Will's Pub Orlando, FL

Gone are the days of the fake lamb chops sideburns and painted on eye brows. What remains is the unapologetic stage presence of the King of Country-Western Troubadours. Some dismiss Unknown Hinson as a novelty act. Those that have seen him live would disagree and man can he play guitar and entertain an audience. It's been a while since he has released any new music. Instead, his talents are focused on Adult Swim's Squidbillies  as the character of Early Cuyler and touring. Check him out sometime when he comes to a town near you.

1. Silver Platter
2. Undead Blues
3. I Ain't Afraid of Your Husband
4. Your Man Is Gay
5. Rock and Roll Is Straight From Hell
6. I Make Faces When I Make Love
7. Polly Urethane
8. Barbie-Q
9. Fish Camp Womern
10. Pregnant Again
11. I Love A Good Fight
12. Love On Command
13. Human Oddity
14. Spittin On My GRave
15. Out On My Patio
16. Torture Town
17. Venus Bound
18. Hippie Girl
19. I'm Unknown (Eighteen)
20. Voodoo Child

Download this show HERE.
Visit his website HERE.
Watch Squidbillies episodes HERE

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band February 24, 2019 Will's Pub Orlando, FL

So Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band stopped into Will's Pub supporting their Blues Music Award nominated "Poor Until Payday". This guy is simply the most impressive guitar player I've seen, and the band lays down this wonderful, unique sounding rock/blues music. But, you probably already know this since you are reading this. Go see them live if you get a chance, and be sure to check out their back catalog. You will not be disappointed!

1. My Old Man Boogie
2. You Can't Steal My Shine
3. It Is Or It Ain't
4. Get The Family Together
5. Boll Weevil
6. Plainfield Blues
7. So Delicious
8. instrumental
9. Poor Until Payday
10. Clap You Hands
11. Dirty Swerve
12. Ft. Wayne Zoo
13. Front Porch Trained
14. Glory Glory
15. encore break
16. Two Bottles of Wine

Download this show HERE.
Visit their website HERE.

The Josephines February 16, 2019 Riverfront Park Cocoa, Florida

Cocoa, Florida has an annual Mardi Gras celebration. This year, the headliner was Colt Ford. I dig Colt Ford, and always see him when we are in the same vicinity. As  I was sitting there, struggling to pay attention to the opening band, I did a quick Google search on the band that was up next- The Josephines from Bowling Green, KY. I forget exactly what it said, but something told me they were going to be good. At the last minute, I pulled out the recorder and captured their set. Google was right, The Josephines were good. I hate to classify music, but I suppose you would call them alt country. It was this grungy, raw (dare I say) country music that set the tone for the remainder of the evening. You should check out their 2017 EP Sober Up which you can find at your favorite streaming service (or get a physical copy at the link below). Be sure to check them out live if you get the chance. Beer is not optional!

1. Coal Mine Gone
2. So Much Blood
3. (not sure what the title is)
4. Trucker Song
5. Maggie's Bones
6. Boxes
7. Satan's Field
8. Doing Fine
9. Honky Tonk Funeral Home
10. Cocaine
11. Fireball

Download their set HERE.
Visit them on Facebook HERE.
Check out their merch HERE.