Looking back to my 18 years of photographing concerts, mostly throughout New York State, I can count on two hands the number of shows that I mention when someone asks, “What was the best show you’ve photographed?”. In the past, I could easily say Midnight Oil, Pearl Jam, Springsteen even. On one particular Saturday night at the Rusty Nail, in Stowe, Vermont, I ventured out nearly three hours to witness what is simply put, a top three show, ever as American County Blues band, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, out of Brown County, Indiana took the stage and flat out owned it from start to finish.
The hard working three pieced band rumbled through a set list with catchy tunes like “Mama’s Fried Potatoes” and “Clap Your Hands”. Master picker, Peyton and the ever hypnotic “Breezy” Peyton, on the washboard enticed and entertained the half full venue as part of a Spring Shakedown night which in all honesty was dominated by Peyton after a dropout of another band earlier that month. Nonetheless, the storytelling and raw talent of the band stands easily stands out and from a photographer’s standpoint is pure heaven and a band that any music lover would be wise to catch live.
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Moon Hooch opened up the night, riling up the crowd with their wild stirring of energy-their presence far exceeding any opener I’ve ever seen. Wenzl McGowen played what seemed to be a non-stop flow of contrabass clarinet, as well as baritone saxophone-along with Mike Wilbur on tenor saxophone and clarinet-dueling at points, as they are known to do. James Muschler on drums, maintained a strong presence throughout the entire show, steadily anchoring the rhythm. At one point he made his way to the corner of the drum-kit stage, to sit and play a very special and beautiful set of bongos. Just when no one was expecting it, Wilbur began belting out lyrics that were enough to shake the ground-the sentiments were shedding light on the truth of current political and environmental issues.
Markellis, of Saratoga Springs, recently joined Floodwood, the bluegrass side project of moe.’s Vinnie Amico. He’ll join them at many shows throughout New York, starting this week. He also plays with a variety of other musicians in the area and can be seen throughout New York, primarily in the Capital Region.
There was an anticipatory energy crackling through the Capitol as the New Deal started the evening smoothly. The unique blend of catchy and accessible electronic rock served as an excellent warm up as the crowd settled in; swelling to a size that would worry the fire marshal as the opening act concluded. Giving a salute to one of the many gods to grace the same stage, the Disco Biscuits kicked it off in style with Frank Zappa’s “Pygmy Twylyte.” Zappa can lubricate anyone’s mood, and the song clearly got it going perfectly as the crowd brimmed with positive energy. “Spraypaint” always being a pleaser, the set promised to be an uplifting one as bassist Marc Brownstein had everyone feeling mellow for the transition into “Rainbow Song”. Maintaining the upbeat theme immaculately, “Spectacle” was followed promptly by a thundering “Helicopters” introduction that had everyone singing along. The set concluded with keyboardist Aron Magner’s crushing organ outro for the set-closing end of “Spraypaint”.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was seen leaving a Nashville rehearsal studio with drummer Jon Fishman twice in the few days of down time the candidate had between his East Troy, WI rally and Brooklyn, NY rally.
Sanders, when reached for comment, would not comment on the album, but suggested his campaign would “Keep it rollin” all the way through to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July.