Residency Diary: Mississippi Man, Part Four

Residency Diaries are exactly what they sound like: the thoughts, musings, and scribbles of rock bands as they host a series of month-long shows in various Los Angeles venues. This month’s R.D. entries will be from Mississippi Man, whose barroom brawl of guitar-driven ’60s rock and folk-tinged Americana can be heard for free every Monday night in November at the Silverlake Lounge (presented by KXLU and The Fold).

By David Knight (guitar/ vocals)

“Hey man can we borrow an amp?” “Vox or Fender?” “Always Fender like Dick Dale.” Pre-show banter that we’ve been forced to start because we’re short an amp. Four speakers short-circuited all at once and left us stranded with one amp, two guitars, and a bad taste in our mouths. Now we have three new speakers and almost have a fourth. We’re going to celebrate once that reverb drenched tone eminates from our Super once again. Up next, Mississippi Man playing surf rock. It’s going to be huge. Until then, we’ve been lucky to play with the coolest dudes who are willing to loan us an amp for our set. I think we’ve only blown a couple of them.

I’ll tell you who doesn’t need that thick Dick tone. Whispering Pines. We were fortunate enough to get them on our residency after a band bailed on us. Standing in front and watching those guys made me think of the first time I heard Duane Allman playing “Statesboro Blues.” I could of sworn I’d heard some of their songs spinning on my record player years ago but I didn’t care. These guys were obviously meant to be playing this music. Real southern rock n’ roll isn’t dead after all. Maybe we should trade band names with them. They sang some mean southern harmonies and really got into it. I also discovered that we both love the (not so) secret venue in the desert, Pappy and Harriets. I’ll definitely have to see them there sometime and break out the Jack.

A lot of our friend’s bands say that the residency flies by but in our case it seems to be going in slow motion. Granted, we have an extra night that most bands don’t get but either way it seems like the residency should have been finished a while ago. Not that we’re getting tired of it but I just found that interesting. Another interesting fact: we all aspire to be troubadours. Or maybe matadors. I can’t remember which one it is. Stumbles and Fumbles would probably go first though and nobody wants to see that happen. El toro sin cuernos no es un toro real.

We were all excited to see our friends, Olin & the Moon, who were playing right before us. As always, they failed to disappoint. We first met those guys at the Echo awhile back and I remember thinking that we needed to become friends. Well, here we are and they are some of the coolest cats in the LA music scene. Their music is soothing in a weird way but also very energetic. A cool combination. Closing the night was Wake Up Lucid who I hadn’t heard before but they play a cool straightforward blues rock. Hope to see them again soon. They are also from the desert. It’s weird how a lot of bands from the “desert” are starting to appear in larger and larger groups. Who knew growing up out there in that crazy place would yield so many connections?

Usually we head out to get a bite to eat after the show but instead we cruised over to Olin & the Moon’s shindig and hung out there for awhile. They might be giving us their old van which would be so cool. Carting everything around in the back of Crumbles truck is getting a bit old. Apparently it has a bed and some cool home-made stuff in it. So look out Mississippi Fans, we might be showing up to our next show in an old Ford. Let’s hope so anyways. Next week is going to be our last so if you haven’t come out yet, we’d love to see you there and talk and drink. I think I might shave the beard. Come let me know what you think of that.

Love,
Mississippi Man

November 30, 2009 | Filed Under Exclusive Features, Residency Diaries 

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