Beautifully Crude
jams for jake
Reviewed by JB
I have to say it’s very rare that a killer group like Beautifully Crude comes to my neck of the woods. My neck of the woods being Paducah, Kentucky, which is just 2.5 hours northwest of Nashville traveling on I-24. We are known as the quilting capital of the world; and for one extended weekend a year, a flood of blue-haired ladies from all over invade our town dumping mucho dinero into our area just so they can celebrate their hobby of choice. I’m not complaining, the region benefits greatly from this and we all have our hobbies; and seriously, you should see some of those quilts!
As for the local music scene in Paducah, it has seen much better days. It’s not because the lack of local talent, it’s the lack of venues to play and…I’m gonna get slammed for making this comment but here it goes…the lack of supporters, I think, is the way I should state that and I will explain in a moment. There are some really great rooms in town and the surrounding proximity to play, but the name of the game is keeping them open and operating smoothly. Now, as for the supporters comment; there are some really great music enthusiasts in the area that keep the local scene going, then there is the normal bar crowd that wants to get trashed and dance to the songs they hear on the radio. My advice to them is throw a party and turn up your radio!
It is extremely hard to find a venue in town that will book original bands; because they know the crowd will not respond well. Yes, I realize this occurs all over…it is not plagued on Paducah alone, but it hurts our thriving scene. I have been there, seen it, lived it, and hate it! I do love the town and hope that the continuation of culture keeps manifesting itself! And while I’m digging myself a pretty good hole…if by chance some Paducah venue owners are reading this…take a chance on the original bands, the key is advertising and promoting! If you don’t think there are people that would respond to an original band, you are very wrong! Need some help with promoting, send me an email!
When I began writing for NR.net I was preparing to move to the ‘Boro and looking forward to indulging myself with nightly entertainment. Due to certain family obligations my plans changed and here I have stayed. I continue to write for NR.net keeping my voice heard in the local scene and hoping to one day complete that move. As of late, my road trips to the ‘Ville have been rare because of obvious reasons we all are suffering, the price of gas and glorious state of the economy. There are so many shows I have missed that I really wanted to attend. Beautifully Crude, a super group formed from the ashes of two of my favorite local bands, were just one of the many new bands in town I had yet to see. So when I found out they were coming to Paducah to play in the second annual Jammin’ for Jake benefit concert, I was ecstatic!
Saturday, October 3, Beautifully Crude and gang travelled that long boring stretch of Interstate 24 and found their way to Noble Park Amphitheatre. I have to say in all my years of living here, I can count on one hand how many concerts have been at that amphitheatre. The sound is not great by any means but it is a cool lil’ place to hang out and listen to some bands. I was surprised to find out that was this year’s location for the benefit, but I think it went well. I know Beautifully Crude rocked the crowd’s faces! They played a full set and after listening to them, I can not wait to get my hands on their cd! Their chemistry is obvious and explosive. Even in early evening right before dusk, BC gives their all to a hillside of strangers with a few familiar faces mixed in there.
BEAUTIFULLY CRUDE
Beautifully Crude are Michael Ashley, Lead Vocals; Scott Moore, Guitar and Vocals; Tommy Krantz, Guitar; Gary Belcher, Drums; and Derek DaPrano, Bass. Their sound is heavy grooves with layers of crunchy guitars, and Ashley’s cool vocals fine tunes the Crude machine. Their stage presence is dominating and in your face; from the moment they plug in, you can tell these guys enjoy playing together. That sense of brotherhood makes the shows more intense and the music more sincere. Their debut album has yet to be released but you can preview the songs on their MySpace page under Beautifully Crude Music. You can also hear them on 102.9 The Buzz, so call and request them now! Their single “No Regrets” is by far my favorite, but all their stuff is fist pumping, air guitar, head banging worthy. I can’t wait to see them again at a different venue where the sound is better and there are no man-sized mosquitoes. Great show, guys!
This was the second annual Jammin’ for Jake Benefit Concert. Jake Schloss was an amazing person who left this earth way too soon; this benefit is in his memory. Music was a large part of his world and this concert gives his friends and family another way to celebrate his life. The event seems to be well organized with all proceeds going to the McCracken County Drug Council and DARE. The benefit offers an array of talent from near and far; this year included The Futile, Skinny Jim and the #9 Blacktops, Union Suit, and many more. All of the participants rocked the park and kept the crowd well entertained! I didn’t have the honor of knowing Jake personally, but if the chosen bands are an example of the type of music he listened to, then I know we’d have lots in common. RIP, Jake! I look forward to next year’s festivities!
Horns Up!!!
jb@nashvillerock.net
www.myspace.com/jb35679
*All pix taken by JB