[DID NOT ATTEND: June 22, 2024] Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls / Amigo the Devil / Bridge City Sinners / Micah Schnabel & Vanessa Jean Speckman
I had been wanting to see him for a long time because I’d heard his live shows were amazing. I saw him last year in a solo (more or less) performance. And it was great. So next, I wanted to see him with his band because I’ve heard the band version is even wilder with a more punk aesthetic and I do love a fun punk show.
For the last couple of years he has disappointed me by having a show on Mother’s Day and then on Father’s Day. This year it was the week after and I was sure I would be able to go.
And then my son and his friend had car/motorcycle trouble about 90 minutes away. There was no way I could go out and have fun while worrying about them. So I stayed home (they had made arrangements to get home by then, but had been out in the heat and sun for nearly ten hours).
So, yet again, I miss Frank Turner and his band. Luckily, he never stops touring, so I’m sure they’ll be back again, on some other inconvenient holiday, no doubt.
Amigo the Devil is Danny Kiranos an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and banjo player. His music is influenced by American folk, country, rock, and heavy metal, with themes of murder, death, and other dark subject matters which has led to his music being called “Dark Folk” or “Murderfolk”. He is the son of a Greek father and a Spanish mother, and was influenced by the traditional music of both cultures.
I listened to a few of his songs. They are very banjo heavy and I expected not to like it (especially since the lyrics are so dark) but i found myself quite entranced by him. Perhaps he is the American version of Nick Cave.
This show started at 6:30 and my original plan was to get their in time for Amigo the Devil. When the boys were delayed, I thought I could take my son just to see Frank Turner, but they didn’t get home until 10:30.
Bridge City Sinners is a kind of like if Squirrel Nut Zippers were more punk.
This is not your Grandparents’ folk music. The Bridge City Sinners take folk songs in the direction of a punk rocker. A rowdy folksy mosaic of banjo, violin, guitar, mandolin, upright bass, & ukulele. The Sinners started their journey as a rotating cast of friends in 2016 who just wanted to play music on the streets “busk” in Portland, Oregon.
I almost like them, but in fact I decided I don’t.
Micah Schnabel & Vanessa Jean Speckman
When looking up thee two, these a lot of overlap. So the blurb from Matter news explains
Columbus musician, poet and artist Vanessa Jean Speckman spends a lot of time on the road, often touring alongside her partner, the singer and songwriter Micah Schnabel.
I originally thought there were five bands playing tonight, but these to apparently play together (when she is not playing with her band Call Me Rita). I listened to his highly political songs and really liked him. I imagine him being a great punky folk singer like Frank Turner. I’ll bet Vanessa is a great addition to his set.
I would have liked to have seen them too, but that’s too long of a show. Of course I wound up not seeing any of them, but that’s what happens sometimes.
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