Just to set the scene.
Some Irish-ish, Flogging Molly-ish band from Japan hits the stage first and Flogging Molly are third. Sandwiched between this was Rev. Peyton armed with his acoustic guitars, Washboard Breezy with her washboard, and Jayme Peyton on the drums, bringing their back porch brand of rocking blues. I walked into the show midway through the first opening act and the place was packed with kids dressed in green and pumping their fists to Japanese Irish fight songs and I began to worry for the good Reverend and his merry band. There was no way in hell this crowd was gonna wanna hear blues music. Not tonight. So, I began talking to the people around me in between acts. The typical conversation went like this:
“You looking forward to the next band, Reverend Peyton and His Big Damn Band?”
“Who are they?”
“An awesome three piece blues band from Tennessee.”
Grimaced face…”Blues?”
“Yep”
Even more contorted face, “What are they doing at this show?”
Oh. Jesus, I thought, I better get another drink. This could get ugly.
Oh me of little faith.
The band had the crowd wrapped around their little finger in two songs. They even moshed a little, which may surprise some of you, but Tampa will…nay HAS…moshed to They Might Be Giants. If there is a band and any sort of a crowd, a mosh pit is soon to follow…but I digress. The crowd ate them up. Breezy with her washboard and mean face was the favorite of the fella standing beside me. Personally, I loved watching Reverend with his high-waisted pants, higher stomping foot and manic guitar picking. While I didn’t bother to stick around for Flogging Molly, I can not imagine they put on a better show.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band - Amberdeen
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band - Another Bottle
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band - My Old Man Boogie
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band’s Official Site, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on myspace, Buy The Reverend’s albums
So I am sitting here watching the New Orleans Saints/Tennessee Titans game, waiting to see if Reggie Bush is gonna score enough points to beat my fantasy team or not, and I decided to type up this piece on the good Reverend Peyton. Everything about Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band screams New Orleans, except for their sound…that’s 100% pure Appalachian Blues.