I’m bringing you something different today. I don’t expect
to do this often – this is a special edition of the Tech and Music blog (which
has really become more of a music blog).
Occasionally, something catches my eye (or ear) and deserves a little
more than the usual blurb. This weekend I experienced one of those “somethings”
and I decided this deserved a little more in-depth view.
Abandoning my usual method of venue-hopping, I spent Friday
evening at The Muddy Waters and enjoyed one band’s show from start to finish.
I’ve seen The Mississippi Misfits before – a few songs here and there. I’ve
always thought there was something special about them, but was in no way
prepared for the night of entertainment this blues/rock trio had planned.
From covers of blues and rock standards to their original
songs, the trio exhibited a professional level of showmanship. Guitarist Ren Estrand played with a new
intensity, and it was apparent he poured his soul into his solos.
Multi-talented Ziggie McQuay practically set the keyboard on fire and then shifted
to the bass with ease. Meanwhile, Tom Zick proved that as a drummer he can be
equally versatile, extracting more than just a beat – whether the instrument is
a drum kit or a washboard. Though individually talented, the three combined
into one very cohesive sound that was crowned with amazing vocal harmonies.
Did I mention a washboard? The Misfits established their
uniqueness in the local blues scene by adding an element they call the “front
porch jam”. The jam was reminiscent of
the roots of southern blues, where musicians would sit on front porches and
create music with whatever they could use as instruments. Their cover of
“Crossroads” raised the classic to a new level, and they followed it with their
original “Boogie Baby”, which showcased their vocals.
In deciding to write this piece, I contacted the Misfits and
asked if they would be interested in sitting down with me so I could get some
background information. Even better, they invited me to their next rehearsal.
Not resting on the laurels of their impressive night, they were back at it
Tuesday night. When I arrived they were still setting up their equipment. We
chatted a bit while they prepared to rehearse.
The three of them never played in a band together, but had
each played with the others in previous projects. In one case, Tom replaced Ziggie as the drummer
for Kent Burnside. That move became a good opportunity for all three, as they
are also known as the New Generation, the band behind Kent Burnside. The Misfits traveled with Burnside just this
month to play a show in New York and are the musicians on his last album. The
album, “Too Late for Tears”, was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Mississippi Misfits - Use Me
Zick, McQuay and Estrand formed their trio after the Little
Rock experience. They competed in the
Iowa Blues Challenge as one of the three finalist bands in May of 2012. I
learned along with them that they’ve been invited to play at a venue hosted by
a music magazine at SXSW in Austin next month. And the 2013 Blues Challenge is on the
horizon. If they enter, you can believe the competition will have to step up
their performances.
Through all of this, the Mississippi Misfits haven’t lost
their humility. Their gratefulness for the opportunities they’ve been given impressed
me. They all seem to have a similar philosophy about music,
putting all they are into every note.
Even in rehearsal there’s a deep current of emotion running through
their music. And I could see the bond
between them. They truly are a band of brothers.
No comments:
Post a Comment