I've seen Southern Culture On The Skids a number of times over the years, as far back as when they'd still be tossing fried chicken out of their 8-piece boxes into the audience.
One of the more memorable shows was not long after 9/11 on a booze cruise around Manhattan. The band always gives 100%, but this particular performance was different, especially as the boat sailed pass the Statue Of Liberty and all three band members, Rick, Mary and Dave stopped and took it all in.
Last Friday at The Bell House in Brooklyn might have been the best yet.
I have this tendency to assume people are just as excited as I am about seeing certain bands play live, so I had a bit of anxiety heading over to the club, assuming since this was SCOTS first time back in NYC in almost five years, that the place would be mobbed. I was both disappointed (for the band) and delighted (for me) that there were only about 50 people there, and that might be pushing it.
Still, this band revved it up as if they were playing to a packed arena. Much of the "white trash/red neck" shtick is gone from their sets, but they have upped their live game tremendously, at times extending guitarist/singer Rick Miller's solos into jam band territory. Mary Huff's bass playing and vocals, especially her close harmony with Miller, sounded better than ever. And of course, the groovemaker Dave Hartman, standing up with his floor tom acting as a bass drum, was never out of the pocket.
It's Monday, and I am still reeling from this show, not to mention being in the midst of a mini-binge on SCOTS records.
Here's a little six pack soundtrack to go along with my photos, for those who are unfamiliar with this American treasure from North Carolina, Southern Culture On The Skids.
TRACKLIST
Soul City
Come As You Are/Lucifer Sam
Just How Lonely
Rumours Of Surf
Tombstone Shadow
Highlife
5 comments:
Love them! They've played a ton at a favorite dive bar here in Atlanta, the Star Bar... which unfortunately is fighting a battle to preserve itself in the face of developers wanting to build tall condos. (Same story as NYC, in a way)
https://creativeloafing.com/content-516037-news-brief-update-star-bar-fights-back-development-slowed-after
Such fun!
Must have been super cool to see them in a small crowd.
I'm pretty sure I learned of the band in these pages and now from Countrypolitan to Booleggers ... I'm at Home with SCOTS!
Thanks Sal.
Can't praise this band enough - unfortunately, I doubt they'll make it to the Ozarks. Just How Lonely is one of my wife's fav-or-rite songs!
Sure dug their last album, hope they're working on another.
Randy
One of the great delights in living in the small town that I do (albeit a college town) is when, by chance, I'm waiting in the checkout line at our food coop and Rick Miller is right behind me with his groceries (or Dex Romweber is spotted at the CVS or Chris Stamey buying a sandwich . . . you get the picture).
@A Walk in the Woods - sorry to read that about The Star Bar! Lots of great memories of that place and various shoes.
Meanwhile - love SCOTS!
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