Last Wednesday night at the Republic, Radio Rubber Room presented The Last Call Gospel Choir and The Green Boys. Your usual trusted author of these weekly articles, Dan Mulrooney, was unfortunately and abruptly called down to North Carolina for a top-secret classified colonoscopy mission that he told me not to tell anybody about. Butt experts abound in NC I guess.
Last Wednesday night at the Republic, Radio Rubber Room presented The Last Call Gospel Choir and The Green Boys. Your usual trusted author of these weekly articles, Dan Mulrooney, was unfortunately and abruptly called down to North Carolina for a top-secret classified colonoscopy mission that he told me not to tell anybody about. Butt experts abound in NC I guess. So, having been called forth to the Republic, I waited in anticipation as the final adjustments to the sound are made.
The night was certainly themed in folk and bluegrass. I immediately noticed two things about The Last Call Gospel Choir before they even began; a saxophone and a flute, both of which rested in front of the member of LCGC who stood at the center of the stage, flanked on both sides by acoustic guitars. All three members had mics for vocals, but there was no drummer, no keyboardist and no bassist. I began to listen…
LCGC hails from Charlottesville, so automatically I can presume these guys grew up in rural surroundings with rural musical influence. Lately in Richmond, and in all of Virginia, I have noticed a resurgent movement in bluegrass and folk with progressive rock elements. It has been interesting to observe these groups grow in relevance and popularity in spite of their young age. I’m not saying LCGC are teenagers, though they’re not geriatric either; but the music that they play and love is older than FDR, with roots that can be found in the antebellum South. This is Virginia after all, lest we forget, where the genre was primordially concocted in the hills of Appalachia, drunk on shine.
LCGC’s set was characterized by fluid chord progressions, patient change-ups in rhythm, and great guitar solos on the part of “Reverend” David French. Primary vocals and rhythm guitar, plus the all-cool cajon, are played by Tom “the Baptist” Garstang, who’s raspy voice seems perfect for their genre. LCGC’s vocal harmonies are full and practiced, coming across in every song, cover or original.
Rounding out the trio is “Sister” Gina Sobel, who’s saxophone and flute, as well as her voice, truly bring it all together. Her flute playing is insanely fun to listen to and watch and her style is somewhere between the chaotic and rocking Jethro Tull and the mellow tranquil style of The Marshall Tucker Band. Her saxophone ability is equally refreshing, I mean, seriously, how many bands do you see with acoustic guitars and a saxophone anymore? Check out LCGC on their social media for their upcoming shows in and around Charlottesville–they’re definitely worth seeing if you can.
The group that followed was a fundamental Richmond institution. The Green Boys have honed their folk-bluegrass style into a well defined and seamless presentation since forming around 2009. They are a throwback to the bluegrass movement I mentioned before; these guys know what they are playing and they play it well. They might say that labeling them as such is folly, but we both agree on them being, in their words, a “country revival.” Zach Miller’s mandolin is always active, filling in accents and bringing thoughtful solos and rhythm to the band. Brothers Ryan and Sean Green, who play the upright bass and rhythm guitar respectively, have a great balance in their sound, never overpowering the simplicity of the genre, but expanding on the definitive attributes enough to make it fresh and interesting throughout their set.
The shy star of The Green Boys is undoubtedly Mike Emmons, whose slide guitar and banjo skills are a perfect accent to the group. Very simply put, The Green Boys have become the definitive Richmond performers of their genre, and are a great band to call Richmond’s own. The Green Boys just released an album earlier this year, and they show no signs of slowing down. Look to this summer season’s bluegrass festivals and events-you are very likely to see them on the band list.
This Wednesday night at The Republic, the guys from Radio Rubber Room will bring us Lightfields and Basmati. Lightfields describes themselves as “powerfully psychedelic post-pretentious snob rock for preteens and parents,” whatever that means. Basmati is a band I’ve followed for some time, because it seems there is no genre they ignore in progressive rock. Basmati’s album, Sick/Raw, which you can hear on Bandcamp, is one of my favorites from the local scene, so check it out. It’s all happening Wednesday, April 3 at the Republic, starting at 10 PM.
https://www.facebook.com/events/233838543429013/
Words by Brian Riley
Images by Tyler M. Conta
