I wrote the other week about how it’s a bold move to send me an album to review but I think it’s even more bold to invite me out to review your show. It’s not that I’m a mean person or out to get anyone but I am definitely honest and truly don’t care about your sad sap story about music– if your live show doesn’t move me and leave me energized in one way or another, I’m not going to have very nice things to say about your set. Some people are able to hide behind the mastering board when it comes to recorded albums but, at a live show, there’s nothing to hide behind and I will be quick to call you on your bullshit. Yeah, it’s a bold more to invite me out but that’s exactly what Slim Stone did for his Tuesday night show.
My timing was perfect and I got to The 7th Street Entry just as Rainbolt Mountain Project was taking the stage. I have to be honest, my first impressions were not all that great. I blame it on my grogginess having just peeled myself off my couch and the fact that I was instantly having flashbacks of seeing my dad’s band perform and being completely embarrassed by it. The older gentlemen took the stage and wasted no time jumping into a Grateful Dead cover. Great, some old hippies on stage that would have me falling back into a groggy lull in no time is what I thought but, within the first couple of notes, that mentality completely changed. These guys had a groove that made you move and a funny banter that made you laugh. There was something just downright delightful about their set that I was left wanting so much more. From covers to originals, there was something very real about Rainbolt Mountain Project’s performance that I am already wanting so much more of. Definitely not my scene but definitely my vibe, I would love to catch this group again soon.
Things moved fast and before I knew it, Rainbolt Mountain Project had been replaced by Slim Stone. Not going to lie, I was a little nervous for the duo. They had a very high bar to hit since I was familiar with the man behind the alter-ego Slim Stone as the front man and vocalist of Liquor Beats Winter. Liquor Beats Winter has always blown me away with their punk infused blues music and badass rocker vibe so I was interested to see what I was going to get from Slim Stone. I was in love within the first song. There was still a very badass vibe that radiated from the singer and the sound was still that punk drenched dirty blues sound but there was something completely different about the set. Think Elvis meets Langhorne Slim. The vocals were gritty and dirty while coming through loud and clear. The only instrumentation was guitars and a scaled back drumset (pretty sure it was just a bass drum and a snare) leavin you with something that just sounds absolutely filthy. Not sure what I mean by that? Sadly that’s the only way I can describe it. Any nerves I had for this duo as far as them having to hit a high bar were gone within just a couple of songs. Slim Stone is one of those acts that I could have stood there and watched for hours on end and it still wouldn’t have been enough. He is also one of those acts that my words will never do justice for so you should really just go see him live. Although exhausted, there was something very refreshing about their time spent on stage and I was in love with every moment of it.
Closing out the already incredible show was Missouri based The Hooten Hallers. Honestly, I wasn’t going to stay. I was exhausted, had seen what I needed to see, and had already fallen in love with the first two bands. I wasn’t quite sure there was any way to top Slim Stone’s set or keep me interested but then came The Hooten Hallers onto the stage. This trio instantly had my jaw on the ground. Much like Slim Stone, they had a filthy bluesy-punk inspired set that was absolutely captivating. The trio had a sense of power and energy about them that not many trios can pull off and, when you add the fact that the trio was just made up of vocals, guitar, drums and baritone/ bass sax (no, not kidding), clearly I was in love within the first couple of notes. With a dozen releases, I clearly have some digging into when it comes to this band and can’t wait to do so. This group had me texting my friends telling them to drop whatever they were doing and listen to this group. The few that were still awake and did so responded with everything from a thumbs up to a screenshot of a ticket they had bought to see the group after my suggestion. The Hooten Hallers are one of those bands that you just have to see. I truly urge you to check them out if they ever come anywhere near you. They are more than worth your time and attention.
There wasn’t a single person in the audience without a giant smile on their face and, although a Monday night, the atmosphere felt more like a Friday or Saturday than anything else. It’s a bold move to invite me to your show to review it but that move definitely paid off for Slim Stone and the other two acts at The 7th Street Entry last night.
Line Up:
Venue: 7th Street Entry
Sausage Fest Meter- 7.1 out of 10
Average Age of the Crowd- 35
Crowd Surfers- None
Dance-Ability- 6.1 out of 10
Stage Divers- None
Broken Bones- None
Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing
Fights- 0
Pukers- 0
Drunkards Taken Out By Security- 0
Celebrity Sightings- None
Overall Score- 8.99 out of 10
Show on Deck- Katya
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