Hooten and Hallerin' with Rev. Peyton

All the best bands have at least two people on percussion with the possible exception of The Beatles.

Think about it, Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, My Morning Jacket, heck, even Arcade Fire.

Back in 2019, Beth and I went to see Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at the Tralf. We didn’t know them but they looked fun. We were blown away.

It was the sort of show we favor, a small venue and tickets for $20 or so. We don’t need arena shows. Heck even though Artpark is 10 minutes from home it needs to be a special act for us to go – Avett Brothers stands out.

A drummer, Peyton on a collection of funky guitars and his wife Breezy on the washboard makes up the Reverend ensemble. Simple, fun funky guitar blues.

Breezy’s washboard played with steel-tipped workgloves is the second percussion instrument. Lots of great music that makes you clap, stomp and sing along. “Clap your hands everybody, clap your hands.”

“I’m broke until payday. Hey hey hey hey hey.”

They were back at it last night at Ironworks, a shitty place to see a show because there are no seats and parking is a challenge. If you go see a show, wear good shoes and plan to stand for 3 hours.

The good reverend brought it last night.

Opening act Hooten Haller hails from Missouri with a bluesy funky rockabilly feel featuring drummer Andrew Rehm on drums, John Randall on guitar and the cool baritone and bass saxophone of Kellie Everett.

The sax seems to fit in the groove as a rhythm instrument taking the line of a bass sort of. Everett said after the show she acquired the bass sax from a horn trader for jazz. It had its heyday in the 1920s but when she brought it to the band they loved it so it stayed.

They have been on tour with Peyton and Breezy for months with more to go.

For selfish reasons, I wish the show would have been at the Rapids Theater but we still don’t mind driving to Buffalo.