This article was written by DMMC volunteer contributor Dan Wren. Interested in contributing to this website? Contact us!
Buy advance all-access passes to Little BIG Fest feat. The Soul Rebels right here and save!
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When you first see them on stage, the main thing that stands out is the size of the band. They fill the stage, each musician trying to stay out of the other’s way. The second thing you noticed is the abundance of acoustic instruments. This is not your regular rock and roll band. You see a fiddle, a banjo, a mandolin, an accordion, a ukulele, an upright bass, and various brass instruments.
Then the music starts. It’s definitely folk. Old-timey folk music at that. Bluegrass as well. And you can hear the gospel influence as well. But this is the old-timey folk music you’d hear coming out of an empty haunted house in a deep, dark, scary forest. What Alice Cooper did to hard rock, and Marilyn Manson to modern rock, these guys do to old-timey music. And the person who is singing the most, makes it sound like it’s coming out of the bottom of his tortured soul. The others back him up with eerie harmonies.
And their songs tell stories, sad stories, creepy stories. Stories of men who have lost their way and know what’s coming. Others who have just been dealt misfortune, and are fighting through it. Or have accepted their fate.
Although this band has been together for over 10 years, they sadly only have one album, Oh, Didn’t He Ramble from 2005. But the album, and this unique band, is unlike many others, folk or rock, that you will hear in Iowa, or elsewhere. Unfortunately, you can’t hear them live often these days, as members are busy with other projects. So if you want something different and interesting that will touch you deep in your gut, go see this Iowa legend while you have a chance.
Old Scratch Revival Singers plays at Little Big Fest on November 15th at House of Bricks at 8:00pm.
Check out Old Scratch Revival Singers:
Buy advance all-access passes to Little BIG Fest feat. The Soul Rebels right here and save! These are limited and get you access to all 17 performances in all venues. There will also be a limited number of tickets available at the individual shows. More details available here.
LBF 2013 is sponsored by Tallgrass Brewing Co., Operation Downtown, and Gateway Market.
This article was written by DMMC volunteer contributor Dan Wren. Interested in contributing to this website? Contact us!