Venue: Tractor Tavern—Seattle, WA
Date: January 12, 2008
Opener: Jason Webley
Jason Webley
You've got to hand it to an artist who can hit the stage more than an hour late, and get the crowd in their pocket before the first song is even halfway done.That was the scene this Saturday night in Seattle, when former local Jason Webley lit into his set. Armed with little more than his polka-punk accordion riffs, an old acoustic guitar, and his hard-stomping feet, Webley wooed the crowd immediately. His verbose, silly tunes were aided by a by-that-time punchy crowd who didn't mind complying with Webley's crowd participation antics, like tickling your neighbor, or spinning around a dozen times to simulate drunkenness.
By the end of his set, the whole room was arm-in-arm, swaying to and fro, singing along with an Irish-style drinking song.
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Not long after Webley left the stage, Reverend Peyton and his band wasted no time in pushing full-throttle into their high-octane version of the good ol' country blues.Peyton's wife, Washboard Breezy, cocked her head back and ripped into her instrument, scratching and pounding, bringing the groove. Peyton, himself, kicked and lunged, making a face like he was going to growl before stepping up to the mike and delivering his burly bluesy vocals. Behind them, his brother Jayme was drumming with what seemed like every ounce of energy in his being.
This was not a show of musicians messing around. As it was when the Big Damn Band stepped up and practically owned the crowd at Pickathon last summer, this night saw them making up for the long wait earlier on, by delivering a wholly energetic performance.
Let's just cut to the chase: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band is one of the most thoroughly entertaining bands on the folk circuit these days. Add to that the fact that they're all just gifted on their instruments, and the Reverend's songs are competent throwbacks to the old school country blues, and you've got one unforgettable night of live music.
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band is on tour now. Visit their Web site for more information and a full tour schedule.
