The mantra for most local bands is that when starting out, any place that will host you is a chance to be seen and heard. Sometimes, this carefree method works but in some cases, the venue is just simply the wrong place.
This will not be the case when the Kent Country String Band leaps to the stage at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille around 10 p.m. to play two tight and strong sets in probably one of the most perfect venue pairings I have witnessed in a very long time.
In fact, band member Chris Eddy could not contain his excitement over the phone as he shared how pumped up KCSB was to have the chance to return to the Tip Top on our city’s wild, wild west side.
“When we perform, we take our stage act quite seriously,” says Eddy. “As a band, we bring an acoustic, rich sound created from a mandolin, violin, banjo, guitar and bass. But [we] also dress up in period rich outfits fitting to the 1890s to 1950s style of music we perform at our concerts.”
When I press if they ever deviated, Eddy laughs and says, “Well, we are pretty strict about our set list, but we broke the rules before to play the "Tennessee Waltz." So you can see even when we break the rules, we do not wander too far.”
The band is attracted to a style of music many do not perform today since the songwriting lacked much of the sophistication of the period that would immediately follow it.
But this doesn’t bother the Eddy, who says it can be corny at times.
The unique choice of the vintage-driven venue is not lost on me as I imagine settings like the Tip Top happening a hundred years ago. It is just a perfect pairing and an experience for young and old this Saturday night.
“And if you don’t like a particular song,” says Eddy, “just wait, because within less than two minutes, we are typically on to the next one.”
KCSB boasts having the ability to play 50-60 songs in their repertoire. It makes for a rapid-pace, yet thoroughly enjoyable concert. Opening for the band at 8 p.m. is the acoustic work of Chance Jones in a special one-man show with a music set performed in a style not often rendered by this gifted frontman.
Admission: $5
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