The pig plays the kazoo...sometimes.There's little reason why The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band shouldn't be embraced as one of Bend's next favorite acts. They've got the twang of long-standing Bend favorites the Gourds, the gritty blues feel of Hillstomp and enough energy to hold court alongside any of our town's favorite bluegrass bands.
The Indiana based trio (not exactly the enrollment you'd except from an act billed as a "Big Damn Band") rides on the quintessentially countrified voice and fingerstyle guitar playing of Reverend Petyon and is anchored by the percussion provided by his wife Breezy on washboard and his brother Jayme on the drums. The familial nature and instrumentation of this band might suggest a novelty act, but the Big Damn Band uses its intensely simplified approach to produce quality sounds that have allowed them to tour widely and attract a dedicated fan base. Some of these fans have joined on after taking in the band during their opening appearances opening for Celtic/punk crossover act Flogging Molly (who are also their label mates on Side One Dummy Records).
On their latest record, The Whole Fam Damnily, the Big Damn Band offers up country blues numbers that range from sweetly melodic front porch country blues songs ("I'd Love You Baby") to raucous boot stomping blues cuts like "DTs or the Devil" that brush up against the borders of punk rock and give a great sample of the energy that the Big Damn Band brings to its live show. And it's this energy that you can pinpoint as a reason this act is (probably) one of your new favorite bands. - Mike Bookey
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Larry and His Flask, Pater Familias
8pm doors, 9pm show. Tuesday, January 13. The Domino Room,
51 NW Greenwood Ave. $10/advance, $12/door. All ages.
