Shack Shakers and...Hmm...Er...Thor
What? A gal can't go to an agridustrial country show and a day later watch Thor?
The movie was worth it for Anthony Hopkins alone. Testimonial: a fella's a good actor when the SOB can give gravitas to a goddamn gold eye patch and shoulder pads. It was by no means a perfect film, but not a complete waste either.
In other livin':
Sunday I went to see Th' Legendary Shack Shakers play at the Double Door.
Mountain Sprout opened. In their own words, "Mountain Sprout is a highly energetic hillbilly music machine..." In my words, Mountain Sprout is a hard driving, ZZ Top-bearded string band whose rebellious songs are highly infectious. Heck yes, I caught myself singing and steppin' along to "Screw the Government."
Shack Shakers were up next. I still hold that Col. J.D. Wilkes is one of the most fearless lead singers I've ever seen. Dude, doesn't give a shit what you think about him. Not. One. Shit. I know this because at any given time he is singing into a microphone pressed against his throat rather than at his lips, slamming down into limbo backbends, perching his ass on audience heads posed too close to the stage and reaching his hand inside his pants to create his own unique form of crotch zipper ventriloquist muppet mouth. Nevermind that no matter what antic (demon?) he's lettin' loose, it doesn't break his voice, doesn't break the lyrics. As usual, the band was a steady balance of good humor and rocking the fuck out. I stared at all members equally and stomp danced...somewhat like Southern clogging, but with a bit more "I have no idea what the ef I'm doing" rounded out with hip shakin.
After the show, as I was heading to the merch booth, I ended up in conversation with Duane Denison. Mmmhmm. Yes, he of the Jesus Lizard and now the several years present guitar player for the Shack Shakers. We bonded over library service.
Split Lip Rayfield headlined. I had caught them before, but it was at the Metro - a much larger venue. Seeing them at the DoubleD gave me a better appreciation for the badassery that is going on on stage. Three dudes. Mandolin. Banjo. Standup bass - it's homemade...no, not out of a washtub. Nope, not out of a bucket. It's made out of a gas tank. A FUCKING GAS TANK, I SAY. Dude made a bass out of a gas tank. I repeat myself because WHO THE HELL DOES THAT? They play fast. Real fast. Finger numbing fast.
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight.
The movie was worth it for Anthony Hopkins alone. Testimonial: a fella's a good actor when the SOB can give gravitas to a goddamn gold eye patch and shoulder pads. It was by no means a perfect film, but not a complete waste either.
In other livin':
Sunday I went to see Th' Legendary Shack Shakers play at the Double Door.
Mountain Sprout opened. In their own words, "Mountain Sprout is a highly energetic hillbilly music machine..." In my words, Mountain Sprout is a hard driving, ZZ Top-bearded string band whose rebellious songs are highly infectious. Heck yes, I caught myself singing and steppin' along to "Screw the Government."
Shack Shakers were up next. I still hold that Col. J.D. Wilkes is one of the most fearless lead singers I've ever seen. Dude, doesn't give a shit what you think about him. Not. One. Shit. I know this because at any given time he is singing into a microphone pressed against his throat rather than at his lips, slamming down into limbo backbends, perching his ass on audience heads posed too close to the stage and reaching his hand inside his pants to create his own unique form of crotch zipper ventriloquist muppet mouth. Nevermind that no matter what antic (demon?) he's lettin' loose, it doesn't break his voice, doesn't break the lyrics. As usual, the band was a steady balance of good humor and rocking the fuck out. I stared at all members equally and stomp danced...somewhat like Southern clogging, but with a bit more "I have no idea what the ef I'm doing" rounded out with hip shakin.
After the show, as I was heading to the merch booth, I ended up in conversation with Duane Denison. Mmmhmm. Yes, he of the Jesus Lizard and now the several years present guitar player for the Shack Shakers. We bonded over library service.
Split Lip Rayfield headlined. I had caught them before, but it was at the Metro - a much larger venue. Seeing them at the DoubleD gave me a better appreciation for the badassery that is going on on stage. Three dudes. Mandolin. Banjo. Standup bass - it's homemade...no, not out of a washtub. Nope, not out of a bucket. It's made out of a gas tank. A FUCKING GAS TANK, I SAY. Dude made a bass out of a gas tank. I repeat myself because WHO THE HELL DOES THAT? They play fast. Real fast. Finger numbing fast.
Goodnight, Irene, goodnight.