Originally published by L.S. Media. September 24th 2010.
There are two bands on the circuit right now that have changed the idea of playing rock/metal and punk tunes, turning them upside down and inverting them to the point that the meaning of the songs has changed. The first is The Bad Shepherds with their folk versions of classic punk tunes; the second is America’s Blue Grass sensations Hayseed Dixie.
Mixing their distinctive style with tracks that have been loved by the Metal/Rock community for the best part of 35 years has led the guys to become much loved by their legions of fans and a guaranteed enjoyable night out.
The four piece band came on stage armed only with a banjo, a mandolin, a bass, a guitar, a fiddle, more beer than was ever poured down the drain during the prohibition and the desire to entertain anybody who came through the door of The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton.
Perhaps there was no better song for the band to open up with than AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. The song was originally sung by Bon Scott and his leering, silver-tongued voice gave it a saucy postcard feel. Hayseed Dixie’s vocalist Barley Scotch’s unique style of delivering a song had the audience members thinking that this guy could really deliver on the threat and still shake you by the hand as he did the deed.
For four men, the music they created was incredible and had the large and exuberant crowd in the palm of their Appalachian hands, their timing was impeccable and even made time in their set to share some thoughts on the state of the world, beer and relationships. If the band were on a mission to shake the set ideas of the crowd, then the crowd lapped it up and were praising the message.
Other metal and rock tracks to get the Hayseed Dixie treatment included Kiss’s Detroit Rock City, Motorhead’s Ace of Spades and Queen favourites Fat Bottomed Girls and Bohemian Rhapsody.
The guys gave a virtuoso performance and it was to great dismay that the band finally reached the end of the set. An evening that showed how rock/ metal and punk can change in any musician’s hands, the interpretation can be revolutionised and never became staid.
Ian D. Hall