Prophet Greene, The Psyatics, The Holy Smokes, the Writhers at the Double Down, Friday Oct 1. 2021

Live shows are still a little weird here in Vegas, at least for me, but I ended up doing double duty at the Double Down on Friday for a super fun show with our pals the Holy Smokes and, added on later, San Diego's The Writhers.

I started the night off in my Prophet Greene guise, running through my interpretations of old blues songs, ala Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon and more. This was my first time doing this set at the DD and with my "regular" guitar amp, so my not-always-so-trusty drum-machine-pedal had a hard time keeping up with the volume and I had to make several adjustments, but I'm told it worked out in the end. I'm still shakey in this persona, but it is fun to try something different and I appreciate the chance to appear at the DD!

(Prophet photos by Ron Hudy and Nikki Ruffling, respectively - thanks you two!)

Of course, I couldn't take any photos of the Psyatics, but we had a super fun set - we all thought it was our best since coming back from Covid - with good stage sound and with a mix of some brand new songs along with those from our last album (Devil You Know) and some older numbers. There was a good crowd of appreciative rock'n'rollers throughout our set - we always appreciate the feedback! We will return to the DD on Friday Oct 29, so come on back, everyone!

One of my fave local bands, who unfortunately, do not play all too often, is the reformed Holy Smokes. With their unique mix of garage and blues, they are a good time, rockin' party band with great musicians - Luke from the Howlers on bass'n'vocals, Jeffrey on wailin' harp'n'vocals, Joel tearin' up his Tele and Turbo poundin' out the backbeat. The set mixed songs from their two CD's with what sounded to me like brand new originals and hip covers like Bo Diddley's (by way of the NY Dolls) "Pills". Always love seeing these cats - hope they do more soon!

I was having a bit too much of a good time by the time the Writhers hit the stage and didn't take any notes (but I did buy their two CD's, so more on those later) but had a good time with their crazy high energy show, visual hi jinx, accordion, dramatic presentation and somehow I ended up wearing a dunce cap with them! Fun stuff!

Once again, sorry that my phone takes such lousy pix in low lights (guess I need to remember to set the flash sometimes, especially as the DD seems darker than ever lately), but thanks to the DD and all the bands for a great time on a Friday night!