Old Crow Medicine Show
Kalamazoo State Theatre
Nov. 18, 8 p.m.
$26.50
kazoostate.com, (269) 345-6500
An old fashioned ruckus in the streets is the key to putting this country back on its feet and restoring our hope and faith in music.
At least, this is Ketch Secor's outlook, frontman for the bluegrass/old-time string band Old Crow Medicine Show. A little more "wolverine-like" behavior could serve this state well.
"You should come hear us play because we'll change your mind about what's going on in music in America and we'll restore your hope in good-timey rocking music," Ketch states.
It takes some guts to throw around those kind of accusations. But these energetic performers, discovered while busking on the street, put on such an infectious live show it would be impossible to not believe them.
Their unbridled spirit can be previewed on the live DVD produced last year, Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre. OCMS performs 20 songs, 15 of which are from their latest album, Tennessee Pusher, OCMS and Big Iron World. Five tracks are from their live repertoire, not found on the studio recorded albums. "Its better than one of those 2x2 grainy shaky YouTube videos... you don't have to listen to the dude exhale next to you."
So, what exactly does the term 'old-time string band' entail? To the members of OCMS, their sound is like a Model T, a hot little coupe with the roadster attitude. The unsexy label of 'string band' doesn't do their music justice. Despite the banjos and fiddles, they play with a rock & roll attitude that perfectly complements the bluegrass sound.
The touring never ceases for OCMS. Having just finished their big West Coast run, where they opened for Willie Nelson and played to a crowd of 20,000 at the Golden Gate Park, the band took a short reprieve. They will begin their Midwest tour Nov. 5 in Kansas. Making their way to the Kalamazoo State Theatre Nov. 18, this will be their first time playing in Kalamazoo. Once upon a time, Ketch had seen a Kalamazoo guitar and has wanted to come ever since. They look forward to this show.
Tramping through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and watching the morning dew collect on the foliage of the woods while the sun rises through a hazy mist defines the southern exposure experience. Add a bluegrass band busking on a street corner, throw in a rock & roll attitude and voila! The Old Crow Medicine Show experience. Like a snake handling church, dangerous and euphoric, they'll change your mind about music in America and restore the lost hope and faith of this nation.
