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Two great bands: Gary Backstrom, and the Peacheaters
Monday, January 12, 2009
Posted by: Source Audio | Posted in: Music Reviews,
This is another report by the elusive, intrepid and fearless CEO of Source Audio, Roger Smith.
As many of you have read in this blog before, I am a big fan of Harper’s Ferry in Alston, MA. It is a large wide room with nothing but good sightlines to the stage. There are 3 bars and an area in the back with pool tables if one needs a break from the action. Last Friday night we went to see the Gary Backstrom Band followed up by The Peacheaters.
Gary Backstrom is one of my favorite guitarists, and that says quite a bit considering how much live music I see all the time. Gary came to be known in New England as the driving force behind Jiggle The Handle. He has a very nice voice, he is a great songwriter, and he is capable of delivering epic solos. There are some editors who have called him one of the most underrated guitarists in the Jam scene. Gary’s band is similar to Jiggle, but without the songs and influence of keyboard player Paul Wolstencroft. While I love Paul’s playing and sound, it if fine by me to have a full dose of Gary. His set was one of the best I have seen, as he made full use of his Line 6 DL-4 to create a variety of echoes and loops.
The Peacheaters set out to deliver an Allman Brothers “Experience”. I must note that this is different than just recreating a band and its music. Perhaps the best way to describe the difference is to compare the Dark Star Orchestra with the current tour of the four surviving original members of the Grateful Dead. While the “Dead” (the official name of the group at this point) are the real deal in many respects, I would say if you want to get a sense of what it was like to see a Dead show back in the day…..and all that went along with the experience…..then Dark Star Orchestra is the way to go.
The Allman Brothers still deliver an incredible experience themselves with Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes. One can find this experience in all of its glory at the Beacon Theater in New York City for 2 to 3 weeks each March. But what about getting a small dose of that experience without enduring the pilgrimage (and the worst hangovers of the year)? Well, check out the Peacheaters. These guys do it right and you will have fun. This was my first Peacheater experience, and after seeing the Allman’s something like 75 times, I am critical. The band invited Gary to play the entire show, and since Gary has fronted another Allman tribute called “Revival”, he stepped into the role perfectly. We were treated to a wide range of ABB material that was given an original interpretation I was pleasantly surprised to hear.
During these uncertain economic times, enjoying an evening at a place like Harpers Ferry with bands like Gary’s and the Peacheaters is not only affordable ($7 cover charge), but it is a way to see great musicians playing great music and have lots of fun.
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