Southern Culture on the Skids with Paige Overton at the Bunkhouse, Thursday Nov 15th, 2018

I admit that during their hey-day, I thought that SCOTS were a bit too goofy/gimmicky for my tastes and I really didn't give them much of a chance. These days, I guess I don't have as much of a stick up my butt, and I think they have toned down the goofiness - other than their lyrics - and are simply a hip, swampy, surf/country/blues rock'n'roll band that is here to entertain you.

Opening the night was Paige Overton of Clydesdale (I do not know if the band still exists, but they were a fun time when they did) accompanying herself on her electric Gretsch guitar, performing her own folk oriented tunes. She has a fine voice and some interesting Dylan-esque material for a quiet start to the evening.

Quite the contrast, SCOTS came out and proceeded to tear up the stage and put on a show with their own brand of stripped down rock'n'roll featuring a stand up drummer (Dave, who was excellent and very creative despite the limitations of his kit - the cowbell was prominent in a number of songs to good effect), a tremelo'd Dan Electro guitar and a groovin' bass. Their album Dirt Track Date still seems to be their most popular outing and they highlighted a number of songs from that, along with some newer tunes (which they describe as more folk/psych, but is really not that much of a deviation for them), and a mix of older numbers and covers. Bassist Mary took lead vocals for their swingin' takes on "Nitty Gritty" and "Daddy Was a Preacher" (she has a terrific voice for this type of music) and otherwise guitarist Rick was front'n'certer with plenty of finger pickin' and stacatto guitar licks and white-trash-laced songs. Lots of audience interaction with a number a people joining them to dance on stage, including a couple of talented females who brought more than one outfit and obviously knew the band, but also obvious tourists who just ended up at the bar, apparently with no idea of what was going to happen. Fried chicken was shared during "Eight Piece Box", they got funky with "Soul City", went honky-tonkin' with some C&W tunes and pulled off some excellent reverb-drenched surf numbers.

The show was a blast, everyone had a good time and joined in the mayhem and the band was excellent throughout, as well. I had heard the SCOTS had a bad experience in the past in Las Vegas, so I'm glad they gave us another chance. Hope to see them back here!