The Wicked Lo-Down – Out of Line
This band formed in 2020 & developed a raw Texas-blended blues approach with Northeast R&B that some described as an original house-rocking sound. Ten originals & 2 covers that have been completely refurbished to fit their genre.
The 13 tracks, produced by The Wicked Lo-Down band were recorded in Auburn, MA. It ignites quite well on their first Gulf Coast issued Out of Line (Drops March 8/46:34). The New England-based blues/roots music has Texas flavors generously sprinkled throughout the performance.
The opener has an ear-grabbing high octane full speed ahead indulgence in “Kill Me or Keep Me.” An escalation that continues with “Marchin On,” which sets the stage for the band’s incendiary showcase. Very much in the tradition of early Lynyrd Skynyrd. The guitars have that addictive coiling tone since sometimes a lead guitar should also be the “voice” of the melody & not so much a buzz saw.
“Bogeyman,” creeps along in a Blasters-type bluesy affiliation (think “Dark Night”) that plods along in a haunting manner stuffed with peppery leads that are well articulated from calloused fingers to strings. Despite the comparisons to many Southern fried bands, The Wicked Lo-Down spews an originality that’s not to be denied.
I could compare Nick David’s vocals to Blood, Sweat & Tears’ David Clayton-Thomas but while Thomas’ vocals are heartier Nick’s are far grittier & bluesier & need the support of the fiery lead guitar more than horns. The performance is rooted in a bar band heartland assembling. But the musical polish outweighs the bar band notion. Each tune is splendidly arranged & thrown out at an audience like darts.
There are gimmicks, like the treated vocals that sound like J.J. Cale’s Grasshopper LP — but the smoking harmonica & thundering steady drums decorate the songs to the point of suspension over the hungry ears of pub crawlers. Some Paul Butterfield Blues Band contours command the heart of “The Wildest One (Lester’s Boogie),” & quite superb.
With “Action Woman,” the band pulls out their Z.Z. Top influences & hammers a wonderfully catchy mainstream nail into the ears of their fans. Imitation? Nah. Just a cool interpretation of a well-translated sound & groove. Great bands do it all the time.
A dash into the house of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins to borrow a bluesy slowed down “I Put a Spell On You,” in their tune “If I.” But that’s alright, Elvis borrowed the classic “Rollin’ & Tumblin,” for his “Tiger Man,” decades ago.
Highlights – “Kill Me or Keep Me,” “Marchin’ On,” “Bogeyman,” “The Wildest One (Lester’s Boogie),” “Action Woman,” “Vanna Be” & “I Just Can’t Make It.”
Musicians – Nick David (vocals/harmonica), Paul Size (guitar), Jeffrey Berg (guitar/bgv), Brad Hallen (bass), Nick Toscano (drums) with guests Mike Zito (guitar on “Out of Line”) & Monster Mike Welch (guitar on “Tonic”).
Color image courtesy of the band’s website gallery. CD @ https://www.wickedld.com/
