Greetings
everyone. Been awhile since I took out my quail feather pen and wrote anything
but as I approach turning 40 (more like getting run over as it is this wed. the
28th), what better way to celebrate than with some bluegrass from the
land of my formation, NE PA. I am of course talking about Scranton’s own
Cabinet and the Coal Town Rounders, live at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA
on November 24th.
The Chameleon Club has been around as long
as I can remember. One of the first shows I ever saw was there in 1989 or 90.
We saw the Chicksaw Mudpuppies and the Flat Duo Jets. After a little research
on Wikipedia, I discovered the Flat Duo Jets were described as “psychohillbilly”
and were a big influence on Jack White.
The Chicksaw Mud Puppies were from the same Athens music scene that gave
us REM and Widespread Panic.
They even had the late great Willie Dixon produced
their record. So once again, I was ahead of the curve.
Meet up at Nate and Christie’s chateau for
pregaming and got a sweet elevated spot behind the soundboard. The Coal Town
Rounders were up first. They had a single vocal mike stand with a Grand Ole
Opry style sign on it
I never saw them before and came away
impressed. They call themselves “Black lung Bluegrass” and play traditional
bluegrass, i.e. no drummer. They did a few gospel tunes which made you want to
dance without any guilt. They brought out the fiddle player from Cabinet, Todd
Kopec, to join them on a few tunes. The only rock cover they did was “Shape I’m
In” by the Band, which is always nice to hear around Thanksgiving. My personal
highlight was a cover of “Slewfoot”, which I’m sure you all recognize as the
old timey tune Bobby used to sing with the New Riders of the Purple Sage when
they opened for the Dead in early 1970. The Coal Town Rounders definitely lived up to
the expectations I had based on the one show I had heard.
The second band was really, really, bad. I
don’t remember their name but their music was so far away from bluegrass or
anything resembling good music it was sad. People streamed outside to smoke
cigs when these guys started playing. It was radio friendly, almost popish
junk. They had to have gotten the slot because of a lost bet or big favor, as
in “if you give me a kidney, I’ll book your band”. There was one guy in the
crowd singing along to every song and just rocking out in general, but for all
I know he was on ketamine.
Before Cabinet came on, I was talking to a
guy outside. He was convinced the actor that plays Creed on The Office was in
Cabinet at one time because of the Scranton connection. Um no. That actor was
in the Grassroots, who were a one hit wonder back in the 60’s.
So Cabinet finally comes on and they
ripped it up. This was my fourth or fifth time seeing them this year and they
did not disappoint. I don’t have much recollection for the set list as I didn’t
have to drive and overindulged. But they tore it up and I even got a birthday
shout out from JP. Hot damn! Scranton represent!
I hope everyone had a safe
Thanksgiving/Black Friday and enjoy the holiday season to its fullest as I appreciate
the wisdom of Robert Hunter even more than before “..oh well a touch of grey,
kinda suits you anyway. That was all I had to say, and it’s alright”
Dave Kemp
BA American
Studies
PhD in Rock
and roll
