Rich's R'n'R Rants & Raves: The Psyatics, Big Like Texas at the Double Down, Friday 5-10-24

Of course, barring any extreme emergencies, I had to make it out for the final show (at least for the foreseeable future) from my fave local band, the Psyatics. In full disclosure, I played with them for a few years but had to be sidelined due to an ailing pup, who thankfully did not have another setback before this show!

Big Like Texas is a terrific local combo that only plays rarely so we were happy to hear that they were the openers for this evening. We got there early to make sure we caught their entire set, which turned out to be quite lengthy, but thankfully there were only two bands this evening! This 5 piece (3 gits, bass, drums) are a little hard to pin down, but they are a mix of alt-country, rockabilly, and maybe a bit of Western Swing, among others. Covers of the Stones' "Dead Flowers" and John Prine's "Spanish Pipedream" as well as something that sounded like it might have been a Louie Jordan tune are mixed with originals that defy easy categorization. Everyone is super strong on their instrument and bassist Guy at time picks up a guitar along with some harmonica for extra variety. Always a good time with these cats!

This final incarnation of the Psyatics consisted of singer/bassist Rob with longtime (12 years) cohort Jack on guitar, now joined by ex-Water Landing Ron Hudy on drums (he appears on their fine - if I say so myself - final album, Cease To Exist) and Joe Matkowsky (from too many bands to list, but most currently, the Minges) on guitar trading off leads and rhythms with Jack. They pulled out tunes they hadn't played in years (songs I never learned, in any case) sprinkled with newer originals and plenty of cleverly interpreted covers from the likes of the Scientists, Velvet Underground, Hoodoo Gurus, Pink Floyd, the Banana Splits and more!

The originals are their greatest strength, though, including theme songs like "Psyatic Nerves" and "Bourbon Sway" (especially appropriate while I was in the band), along with the railroad-related numbers "Oncoming Train" and "Trainwreck", and newer tunes such as "Tapeworm" (about a boy and his pet), "Phantom Limbs" and "Tabula Rasa" (particularly interesting to hear Joe's variations of my lead themes since our styles are different enough and he does not use a slide). They smoke through numbers from pretty much all of their 5 albums and closed with the potent combo of "Gentlemen of Four Outs", "When Fate Deals Its Mortal Blow" and, finally, "I Can't Stand It", and I couldn't hold back from joining in on the choruses for that one!

There was a super impressive turnout - the DD was pretty well packed throughout the night - and a great finale to this Vegas musical institution. Our scene will not be the same without them - besides their numerous musical contributions, Rob and Jack were responsible for lots of touring acts stopping in our (not always so) fair city. The Psyatics will be sorely missed. Thank you to the Double Down for hosting this bittersweet event and thank you to everyone who came out to support this night as well as over the years!