Dead End Angels (2003-01-25)
Callie and I have seen a bunch of Dead End Angels shows now. Most of them, in fact. So many that we can tell when the band is experimenting with the songs.
And so many that we were starting to ask ourselves -- I wonder what they sound like to someone who's never heard them, and doesn't know any of the old Groobees stuff.
The answer -- I think our buddy Scott Chaffin enjoyed the most recent show, at the All Good Cafe in Dallas.
And why not?
It was their best show to date, in a really nice sounding room.
Over two and a half hours or so, they pounded out original stuff, Groobees tunes, a few covers (Escovedo, Uncle Tupelo, Waits, Sahm, Burrito Bros, and maybe a few I left out). The newbies at our table were a little surprised that the final addition to the band, guitarist Rick Poss, only started playing live shows with 'em a couple of months ago. A band that's only been around 2-3 months just isn't supposed to sound this tight, I guess.
But this is one talented group of folks who make a really nice whole. Libbi Bosworth was really belting it out on Saturday (and of course never stopped smiling), and the harmonies with Scott Melott are really becoming something else. And then there's Craig Bagby back on drums, who sings harmony a lot more than anyone really notices, along with some neat vocals of his own (and FINALLY the levels were high enough on his solo vocals this show! yay!). And Troy Wilson doing his bass thing, and putting up with his share of abuse from the band. And finally, Rick Poss, who just seems to have a gift for this kind of music.
So what kind of music exactly? I've had kind of a hard time describing these guys. It's not the Groobees, although they do some of my favorite old Groobees stuff with a few twists these days. It's not country, really. It could certainly be called alt-country or Americana, but that encompasses damn near everybody in Texas these days. What it is NOT is mindless Texas flag waving and Bock drinking (not that I don't listen to my share of that stuff). And maybe it's closer to the whole Whiskeytown/Uncle Tupelo style than most stuff being done by "Texas" or even "Red Dirt" artists (though Scott originally hails from red-dirt country).
It's fresh, to be sure. And it seems to have a destination. This stuff ain't just a rehash of The Groobees, although you'll likely hear a few of the old tunes if you make it out.
And you should make it out to a show, because there's no CD yet (maybe a few months? they're off to the studio soon).
I'm telling ya -- just like I did on these pages back in the days when Cross Canadian Ragweed couldn't book a room to play in Houston and Slobberbone was playing to about a half dozen of us in Rudz and Reckless Kelly couldn't convince a label they were worth having -- you better go see these guys (and gal) playing the small intimate rooms while you can. Or even better, when Scott and Cindy Chaffin get 'em booked for a music festival, you can come drink Shiner and camp out with all the cool kids who listen to cool music. I know I can't wait (hope I'm invited)!
* * * *
Speaking of those two -- we're very sad Cindy missed the festivities, but Scott showed us a really good time. He was a little more perturbed with the service at the All Good than I was, but then again, our waitress looked like Yancy Butler, an actress I have a crush on, so I'm probably not a good judge of the service. So far as I know, the waitress hasn't bitten or punched anyone lately. That's a plus, right? Seriously, all you North Texas peeps and stalkers should really go have a beer with Scott next time he's prowling Dallas, or on his promised Houston roadtrip. It'll be a hoot.
[Posted at 22:41 CST on 01/27/03] [Link]
