The Sin Eaters, the Psyatics and the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down Saloon, Saturday May 20, 2017

I like to celebrate my birthday by doing what I like best - playing music with good friends (and my lovely wife!). The Double Down Saloon was kind enough to let me set up this evening with a couple of my faorite local bands, for a night of amazing tunes.

The Swamp Gospel opened the night (as we do) to a sparse audience - maybe we started too early - but I'm grateful for those who supported and joined the congregation!

(SG photos by Nikki Ruffling, as usual - thanks Nikki! And thanks for the cookies!)

Our good pals, the Psyatics were up next and suddenly the club was packed! Coincidence or due to their awesomeness and the innumerable terrific reviews for their latest record, Famous Monsters? I tend to think it was the latter! Great set of songs from all of their releases but concentrating on that most recent one, with new man on the block Mark keeping the snappy, interesting beats behind Rob's rollickin' bass lines and Jack's guitar noize and non-stop movements. In fact, Jack's gyrations through out his guitar and he used the Swamp Gospel's sanctified 6-string for the rest of his sinnin' set!

Speakin' of sinnin', I was lucky enough to get another one of the best bands in town, the Sin-Eaters, for the night. These cats - Larry on drums, Jeffrey on harp and vocals, Wade on guitar and vocals and Chris Davis on stand up - are some of the finest musicians you're ever gonna hear and they blast out a blues-based back-beat that no one else can touch. Dynamic versions of tunes like "King Bee", "Skinny Woman", "Automatic", "Hip Shake Thing" and more that showcase everyone's expertise. They never fail to entertain and amaze.

Thank you again to the Double Down, the bands and everyone who came out!