The Lost Weekend Band – One Hell of a Time EP
Despite a background that doesn’t include having come from Georgia, Tennessee, or Kentucky these old boys have the “sound” wrapped up tight in their instruments & voices. There’s a hint of Z.Z. Top at times, a pinch of the Fabulous Thunderbirds & some of Ricky Medlock’s old Blackfoot band with tunes like their lead-off “Pay the Rent.” How’s that for a musical jambalaya?
What I find interesting about this band that sets them apart from the comparisons is Hardcore Dave’s lead vocals that have the necessary authority & are submersed in the Southern Rock dirt of The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band & that sort. But unlike some knockoff bands emulating those big arena names, when Hardcore Dave sings you can understand he’s coming from a different direction. It’s a 5-man band that handles the rough & rowdy equally as well as their convincingly slower ballads (“Sing With Me”) that borders almost on a Nick Cave vocal domination (therein lies one different direction).
There are 5 outings on this EP produced by Paul Fig making up One Hell of a Time EP (Drops June 14/Broken Hearted Cupids/19:00). The band comes from diversified backgrounds that aren’t all country-flavored. Yet, they put their skills together & meshed hard to create a block of country rock n’ roll blues that surfaced like a buzz after too many beers & shots.
This isn’t some bar band – the arrangements & performance quality have a patented mixture of rural rock that comes with the straw still poking through the box. The purity balance that worked for the Marshall Tucker Band was their flute player (“Take the Highway”), but The Lost Weekend Band has a light touch harmonica that dilutes the straight-ahead hardcore country bluesy showcase. It’s the frame around the painting, the cream in the coffee & it’s the long white ash that hasn’t fallen off that expensive cigar.
It sounds like something you may have heard before but what’s noticeable is how much better this band manages to penetrate your ears. Hardcore Dave sings with poignancy (“In the Morning”). This tune is exceptional. It’s a balanced showcase – hopefully, there’s an album in their future.
Highlights – “Pay the Rent,” “Sing With Me,” “Madison County” & “In the Morning.”
Musicians – Hardcore Dave Fisher (lead vocals/harmonica), Parker Richey (guitars/pedal steel/bgv), Eliot Lorango (bass), Carl Byron (piano/accordion), Joey Ponchetti (drums/percussion/bgv) & Jason Moore (bgv).
B&W of 5 band members from their Bandcamp site. Color image of Dave by Victoria Smith. Color group picture by Dennis Apergis. CD @ https://thelostweekend.bandcamp.com/track/sunlight & https://thelostweekendband.bandzoogle.com/home
Song premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2024/04/16/song-premiere-the-lost-weekend-band-sunlight/
