Yee-haw

Another night watching a bunch of inbred yokels rattle their way through bluegrass country and heavy metal covers while drinking beer. Class!

Although before I go on about Hayseed Dixie, a word about the opening act. We got there quite early as Mike knackered his ankle a while ago and is on crutched. The Cockpit is quite a small venue, so it you get near the front you can lean against a wall and still see the stage.

After an hour or so, a young lady took to the stage and started tinkering with wires and a guitar. Now, at first I just thought she was the most stunningly beautiful guitar tech the world has ever seen. After 5 songs and a crowd cheering her, it was obvious she was actually the most stunningly beautiful support act I’d ever seen. My bad.

The young lady in question is Bex Marshall. And she’s good. Damn good. Bex was one of those rarities. Even excepting her astounding good looks, she was a support act that you wanted to keep going just a bit longer. Great songs (including a cover of Pinball Wizard) and a wicked sense of humour that got a still-sober crowd “yee-haw”ing like they were born to do it and nicely set up for the main act.

She was signing CDs after the gig – Sharon picked one up – and signed them (and Mike’s cast) “All the breast”. She really is a cracking musician with a rare ability to get a crowd going, even though they don’t know her stuff. And she’s bloody gorgeous. The photos on her web site do not do her justice. I cannot recommend seeing her live highly enough. And on the off-chance she reads this: “Please call me. I’m sure we’re not related so it could work out. I am not mad”

Hey, give me some credit for trying. Looks and sings like an angel, but you can tell she’s got the mind of a little devil. I really hope she goes far!

Hayseed Dixie did just under two hours in their set, playing a fair bit of new stuff. The lead singer/guitarist bust one of his strings near the end, but still managed to play Duelling Banjos. As far as I could tell, he even avoided the missing string and played around it without missing a note. These guys are good. I don’t think they got the “Rock on, Tommy” references being shouted at the mandolin player, though. Older folks on here will remember Cannon & Ball, a crap 70’s/80’s “comedy” duo. Well, this chap is the spit of Bobby Ball – moustache, braces, the lot.

The gig ended with a rousing boo – but for the right reason. Everyone wanted more! When the lights came on after the 2-hour set it was a huge disappointment simply because the place was bopping and everyone wanted it to go on all night.

I’ve raved before, but if you’ve not seen this band live – GO. They play enough gigs and they’re cheap enough. Get a ticket.

They’re a superb “first date” band as well. If you take someone and they don’t like at least 75% of the material, dump them. They have no taste and you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Hayseed Dixie are music at its best – live, uplifting and fun.

Although they’re not as fit as their support act.