Rack'em up
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 8A
SEPTEMBER 8.1995
Southern Culture on the Skids
They've got Southern accents, overalls and boots.
They've got a masked wrestler named Santo who dives from the stage into the crowd.
The band plays what they call swamp rock—a blend of country, rock and folk that is a lot easier to dance to than it is to describe.
They've got songs about fried chicken, dirt track racing, cheap beer and gas.
Basically, they're Southern Culture on the Skids.
By Robert Moczydlowsky, Kansan music writer
"Somebody called us retro rock," said Rick Miller, guitarist and vocalist. "Now what is that supposed to mean? I'd rather have them say 'Come to the show! They've got songs about food! They've got songs about banging pots! It'll be a good time! You
wanna get drunk? It's music to dope it!'
The song makes references to the argument surrounding the size of the centerpiece of male anatomy, and it has some better-than-average guitar licks.
great music to dance to!
If Southern Culture on the Sldids sound familiar to you, that could be because you heard the Lazer, 105.9 FM — in a rare moment of adventurous programming — playing "Soul City," the rambling first single from Dirt Track Date, the band's DGC Records debut.
The rest of the album borrows sounds and licks from Creedence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr. It's about having a good time, white-trash style. And the music delivers what it promises, even if it's just a drunken, rody night out with the boys.
"Soul City" will not change the world, but it might keep you from changing the station.
"We named our new album Dirt Track Date 'cause dirt track racing and Southern Culture on the
Southern Culture on the Skids will play Tuesday at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Call the Bottleneck, 841-5483, or Ticketmaster for ticket information.
Skids have got a few things in common, "Miller said. "Both are a rockin' good time and you gotta' rinse off when you're done. There's more action on a 3/8th-mile dirt oval than on any super speedway, and there's more happenin in a sweaty juke joint than in all of that arena rock put together."
Robert Mocczydlowsky'e e-mail address la:
Southern Culture on the Skids was formed in the early '80s by Miller and one of his buddies from the University of North Carolina. They had some success on the thriving Chapel Hill scene, and they put out a couple of releases on some small indie labels.
When Miller was left to front the band on his own in 1987, he met bassist Mary Huff at a local club. She joined Miller right away, and when their drummer quit to go to country music, Huff suggested adding drummer Dave Hartman.
"Turns out Mary and Dave had been playing together for years," Miller said. "They grew up in Roanoke, and they played in various rock n' roll bands. It's like
Since their first night in front of what Miller called the "Kleenex crowd," Southern Culture on the Skids have logged countless shows in anonymous towns across the U.S. and Europe. In an average year, they'll play 250 shows.
"We've played the North Carolina prison system and high school proms," Miller says. "We just love to play. We don't give concerts — we throw parties!"
Don't forget your overalls,
Jethro.
rmoczudk@falcon.cc.ukans.edu
they're related — they have that ability to communicate without speaking. We jammed, and they joined. Our first ever show together was opening up for a porn movie at a local movie theater."
But if you like your guitars distorted and your vocals hazy, check out this album. It was produced by Jim Wilson (Sugar, Magnapop), and he manages to create a very rich sound for this innovative quartet.
Greene isn't for you.
Stuff the tape in the deck, and the first song is the wonderfully fuzzy "Clear Yellow Button." If you're not going 65 mph down Tennessee Street by the end of the song, stop the tape — Bo Bud
And to top things off,
the album is on Backyard Records, a relatively small label, which
means you probably can pick this disc up cheaply. Overall, out of ten: 8
Bo Bud Greene Whatever (Backyard Records/BMG Distribution). If you're a fan of Tripping Dalsy or early Jane's Addiction, you might want to take this band from Texas for a spin in your car.
Waterdog Waterdog (Atlantic). If you caught the Muffa at the Bottleneck on Wednesday night, chances are you caught the opening set by Waterdog, from Providence. R.I.
New Releases
Rhode Island isn't exactly considered
They've got a 12-song album due in stores on Oct. 10, but I suspect that you'll hear their single "Can't Let Go" soon. Overall: 7
a punk rock hot spot and probably won't be in the future. Unbelievable, then, is the creation of this talented, wise-beyond-the-years punk band.
some years in country music, Emmy Lou Harris has made a rock n' roll album. Sort of.
When you listen to Wrecking Ball, you get the impression that you are eavesdropping on Emmy Lou while she sings with the radio.
Every song is a cover—Harris tackles songs by Young, Bob Dylan, Daniel Lannis and Jimi
Hendrix — but this is not a tribute album. She sings these songs because she likes them, and she sings them her way, adding a very soft, country voice. Guest artists include Lamois, Steve Earle and U2's Larry Mullen Jr. It's a gentle, almost solenl album.
Overall: 7
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