News - Entertainment

Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

Cruise into the weekend with Truckstop Preachers

Now that the big turkey trot to-do is done, most of us are pondering places to go to carry on a holiday mood with some musical merriment.

Try Truckstop Preachers tonight at The Long Branch Saloon in Rock Hill. Acknowledging the need for recreation and a welcome release from what they say is the possibility that “you'll be tired of hanging out with your dysfunctional families,” these five feisty fellows — Nathan Palmer, lead vocals/ out front frolics, Lee Goodwin — lead guitar/vocals; Glenn Jones, rhythm guitar/vocals; Jeff Faulkner, bass; and Mike Elder, drums — are calling out an invite to join them for this special hometown show.

Known for a signature sound that crisscrosses denominations, genres and styles, this bunch brings together their faithful followers to witness a bonafide blast of classic country, honky-tonk hipness, a touch of twang plus that a core of hard rock grit that’ll drive out demons or at least give them a run for their money.

Their influences are a telling testament — Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam and The Clash clumped together with Hank Williams Sr., Hank III, Brian Setzer and Johnny Paycheck, not to mention Merle Haggard, early Aerosmith, Iggy Pop, and The Ramones.

The group plans to record tonight’s performance and want to make it an interactive evening, hoping for “help with crowd noise,” explains Glenn Jones. “Our first live recording ever was done at The Long Branch back in 2002, and it turned out really well. We’ve sold a bunch of them. We’re still selling them,” he says. “We’ve got some new material, and thought why not go ahead, do some live recording now.”

Jones cites new originals as well as a few select cover songs. Among the covers find one by Tennessee Rounders, another by Dale Watson as well as something by Banjo and Sullivan, who some might know as a fictitious band/tracks conjured up by Rob Zombie for a movie soundtrack.

“We’re about halfway to having enough new tunes for our next CD, which should come out sometime in 2009,” Jones says, adding that the band is considering an overseas trip in 2009. . “We went to France a couple of years ago and we’ve been invited back. We’re working on another tour in France, as well as visiting a couple of other countries this time.”

It’s tonight at The Long Branch Saloon, 761 Riverview Road, Rock Hill. Call 803- 366-5632 or check longbranchrockhill.com for details. Get more on the band at truckstoppreachers.com and myspace.com/truckstoppreachers.

Anticipating the trials and tribulations of Black Friday’s after Thanksgiving hoo-hah, the band Axis is assembling tonight at The End Zone in Rock Hill, offering a rocking respite and rolling reprieve. Axis features the sonic skills of Jeff Jones, guitar/vocals; Kristy Marett, vocals; Marty Perkins, keyboards/sax/vocals; and Wane Marett, bass. Celebrate with a holiday musical hullabaloo tonight with Axis at The End Zone, 2354 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill. For more info, call 803-324-8300.

There’s your head start on groovy live music destinations to launch the ’08 holiday season. Find lots more harmonious happenings below, then enjoy and travel safe.

• Tonight: SoHo and Smokers at The Money Club, Rock Hill; Truckstop Preachers at The Long Branch Saloon, Rock Hill; Axis at The End Zone, Rock Hill; Edwin McCain Trio with Patrick Davis at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Tom Williams with Angie Medlin at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Other People and Friends at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Hells Bells AC/DC Tribute at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Decadence, Poor Boys Revolution and Sound Therapy at Charlotte’s Underground, Charlotte; Jackson Crossing and Matter of Fact at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Soul Survivor with Shana Black, Etta Lea, Lee Neitzel and Russel Howard at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; The Derek Trucks Band at McGlohon Theatre, Charlotte; Cory Moore at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Lost Trailors with Jonathan Singletone at Coyote Joe’s, Charlotte; The Plaids at Wild Wing Café-Southeast, Charlotte; The Virginia Reel and South Career at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Public Radio CD release at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte.