07.16.07
Back Door Slam
So Saturday night, on kind of a lark, Tommy Boy, myself, and our friend Rich end up at the House of Blues at the Sunset Strip, beer in hand, waiting for the opening act to take the stage at a Rusted Root concert. Yeah, I didn’t know they were still together either, but memories of listening to their first album at parties back in high school were too strong to ignore. So we ended up going. Why the hell not?
So the opening act comes on and, from the reaction of the crowd, I would bet money that not a single person had ever heard of them before. They turn out to be a three piece British band called Back Door Slam. This is a name, which, to me, means that they either, a) get angry when leaving and slam the back door of their homes; b) are fans of basketball, specifically the back door pass and slam dunk; Or c) fans of, well, I think you can guess the last one.
Here’s the crazy thing, though. They were good. I mean, really REALLY GOOD. The audience which had paid them no attention whatsoever at the start of the show, was cheering like crazy for them by the end. I even had goosebumps at one point.
As I said, they’re a 3 piece band. Bass guitar, drum set, and lead guitar and that’s it. Looking at the three of them, as Tommy mentioned during their first song, they didn’t look like they were in the same band. The bass guitarist, Adam Jones, looked straight out of an emo group with straight black hair, a tight t-shirt, and acting like he couldn’t care less. The drummer, Ross Doyle, was a bigger bald guy with a wacky hat (I’m guessing he was bald) and also seemed to just be chillin’. Davy Knowles, the lead guitarist/vocalist, though, is who blew everyone away. He was obviously the reason the rest of the band was there at all. He looked semi-grunge, jeans, button-down shirt, and disheveled Beatle-esque hair.
And this guy could play. As a guy with zero musical talent and zero actual knowledge of how to play any musical instrument, let alone a guitar, I can still say, with confidence, that this guy was GOOD. (It’s like pornography. “I know it when I see it; Or, that which gives me wood.”) (Thank you, Jon Stewart). I’ve been to a lot of concerts, good, bad, and everywhere in between, and I have never seen anything quite like this.
I’m not quite sure how to describe their sound. Definitely kind of a classic rock, bluesy vibe. Reminds me of Clapton with a little Hendrix and some Springsteen thrown in. But with a modern feel to it. After three songs, I leaned over to Tommy Boy and told him that, after having seen John Mayer*, the guy who has sold millions of records and is dating Jessica Simpson, that I was far more entertained by this guy. In fact, this is the kind of guitar player John Mayer wakes up in the morning wishing he could be (or thinks he already is).
At one point, the lead guitarist says they’re going to do a cover of a song BB King and Clapton did a few years ago, “Ridin’ with the King.” Now we already knew the guy was a good guitar player, but we didn’t know how good. So I made the comment giving the guy credit for his ambition. Not just anyone can do a song justice once it’s been performed by two of the greatest guitarists of all time. But that sonofabitch pulled it off. I said, “what’s next? Hendrix?” Yup. He actually pulled out a friggin’ Hendrix song and blew us away with that, too. Sickeningly good.
So they finished their set and everyone went wild. As they left the stage, strangers were turning to us to verify that yes, we did just see that. Rusted Root came on and only a few songs in, they called the lead guitarist out to jam with them. He completely stole the song. I’ve never seem someone play like that in my life.
And actually, Rusted Root was a fun show as well. It did indeed take us back to our high school days. I also love it when a concert doesn’t end until almost 1 am. We definitely got our money’s worth (Only downside: $6 for a can of Bud Light. Yes, I said “can”).
And we discovered a brand new talent. If you get the chance to see Back Door Slam live at some point, I highly recommend it. They just released their first album, Roll Away, a couple weeks ago. I think to really do them justice you need to see them live, but it will definitely give you an idea of their sound and talent.
It’s great discoveries like this, and the sharing of this discovery with a room full of strangers, that prove that there is nothing quite like the live concert experience . . .
*Yes, I attended a concert at which John Mayer was performing. Okay, I’ve actually gone to 5 concerts at which John Mayer was performing. In my defense, the first two he was touring with Guster, the second two with Counting Crows, and the last one, with Ben Folds. All three of those bands rule and if Mayer was on last we left early every time. So there. Plus Mayer did that Chappelle’s Show sketch, so he can’t be all bad.