roots rock twang news

Rev. Peyton and his band continue to live the rock and roll idea that traveling the country by van will get you someplace. In this case, Grand Rapids.
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band wrapped up a spring road trip across the US in Michigan on last Wednesday night, and with it, concluded their string of opening dates with the Rev. Horton Heat, dubbed the Two Revs Tour.
Below are a few of the recent revews, as the bands swung through the Midwest, on their way East.
“…the remarkably talented Reverend Peyton performed six-string feats which sent the audience into whooping and hollering frenzies, and once or twice left them momentarily silent and open-mouthed. At one point he even broke out a three-string cigar box guitar a fan had given him in Tennessee, on which he played a song I had never heard before. And throughout the set, as he played guitar, he perfectly delivered his deep, inimitable vocals.”
No Depression – Review of Allentown, PA show
“One thing you need to remember before seeing a show by The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band: take care of your basic needs (beer, bathroom) before the band hits the stage. Once they start playing, you won’t be going anywhere. It’s impossible to take your eyes off them. From the opening number, when The Rev kicked over a couple of Persinger’s cymbals, the band never stopped. They are as much visual spectacle as aural feast. Besides The Rev’s guitar playing, Breezy’s hands, gloved for protection, furiously stroked the washboard.
“And Persinger was equal parts athlete and drummer. After the show, I found him backstage icing his forearms. There’s a primal element to their music that reaches the base of human emotion: this is music that you clap to, stop your feet to, and sing along to.”
Baltimore Sun – Review of Washington, DC show
“Peyton’s heartfelt, southern-fried country-bluegrass was a perfect lubricant for the raucous Reverend Horton Heat crowd of bikers, punks and skinny-jean hipsters. Although it’s a rare treat to see a washboard being played, it’s even more rare to see a washboard in flames, as Reverend Peyton’s wife Breezy lit hers on fire during set-closer “Two Bottles Of Wine.”
Chart Attack – Review of Toronto show
“The Reverend at times appears on stage to be having a religious experience himself. His facial expressions are extension of the music he is producing. The RPBDB is a tight, well polished unit that is not to be missed. Highlights of the 50 minute set were: “Mama’s Fried Potato’s”, “Sure Feels Like Rain”, and “Clap Your Hands”‘.
Music Tasters – Review of St. Louis show
What’s Next: The trio takes a few days off before starting a string of eight consecutive festival shows, beginning May 27 in Chillicothe, IL. Included in the run is a show at Bonnaroo on June 9th, with two Indiana gigs sandwiching that Tennessee stop. They play June 4 at the Indiana Vintage Wine Fest in downtown Indy at Military Park, and at Taste of Bloomington on June 18.  A new album is on the way too, with the new artwork just released. Peyton On Patton is a new Big Damn Band CD that pays tribute to Charlie Patton.