Damian sees the light in Bilston
A religious experience is what to expect when American three-piece Country Blues Style The Reverend Peyton and his Big Damn Band grace us with their presence.
Hailing from Brown County, Indiana, the band comprises of Reverend J Peyton on guitar and vocals, his wife Breezy on washboard and Max Senteney on drums.
“Aberdeen” from their Voodoo Cock Ep kicks off the set, quickly followed by “My Old Man Boogie” and “Something For Nothing” before the Reverend comes up for air.
This guitar maestro tells us he learnt to play the guitar on his front porch and therefore gifts us the wonderful “Front Porch Trained”
A chance to impress us with his unique style of fingerpicking comes whilst playing a 1930s steel bodied national guitar which he has lovingly restored on “Roundin` Up Girls All Day”
The sublime “Pot Roast and Kisses” is shared before the Revered is left alone on stage to play “What’s a Poor Boy To Do”.
A couple of songs from the band’s latest release `The Front Porch Sessions` come next with a cover of the Pratcher brothers, Miles and Bob`s “It’s All Night Long” and “We Deserve a Happy Ending”.
We get an explanation of the video that accompanied the release of “We Deserve a Happy Ending” The Rev couldn’t raise any funds for the video so had to call on friends to support. He also couldn’t get a professional stunt man to be set on fire but was rescued by a buddy called Jim who was happy to oblige. The video must be seen to be believed.
A song that hasn`t been recorded “Bean Blossom Boogie” is played as a thank you to all who came tonight. The way the band see it, if they recorded everything, people may as well stay at home and listen to the records. My favourite song “Devils look Like Angels” is played but in a slowed down version but hey I’m delighted. The show closes out with the superbly infectious “Clap Your Hands” and a cover of the Willie Dixon written but popularised by Bo Diddley track “Can`t Judge a Book by the Cover”
The encore comprises an instrumental played by the Rev on a three stringed Axe, whilst Breezy sets fire to her washboard and swings it around her head. I Kid you not!!
Well what can you say. A religious experience, possibly but nevertheless I’m a convert.
