I Can Lick Any
S.O.B.
In The House
Every great once in a while, something comes along to remind you of what rock 'n' roll is supposed to sound like, to push rock's essence and spirit into your veins and manipulate your heart and mind. I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House -- their full moniker is borrowed from bare-knuckle legend John L. Sullivan's vivid biography -- is a raucous quintet out of Portland, Oregon, and one of those rare throwback-catalysts. For the past couple of months, they have been on an erratic, scorched-earth campaign of the Western states, making instant believers out of audience after audience. I Can Lick's heady mix of Americana and punk reminiscent of Robbie Robertson and the Band, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and Black Flag -- has also converted dozens of marquee-mates, who have learned the hard way that following I Can Lick on the bill is often an embarrassing situation.
Land Between
The Lakes
Afro-Punk, Southern Gothic, Folkadelic Soul, or… Transcendental Junk yard Blues Music from Beatnik Kentucky Voodoo Renegades.
If I had to boil it down to one word … well I couldn’t.
LBL is an other-worldly blend of pounding rhythm, southern evangelism and electrified junk. With heavy drumming, a home-made upright bass, and electric banjo, mixed with the chants, screams, and preaching of a snake-handling front man. Most of the instruments are homemade or found objects that are beat on. But take heed this is, not your Grandfathers jug band.
It is the music of three Kentuckians, who write songs that are guaranteed to get you moving, while telling you stories about the mysterious, strange south. It is juke-joint music deeply rooted in blues and gospel, but also takes off into other realms. It mixes trans-like southern soul, with a twang to come up with something very different. It is very alive. There is a good amount of improv and spontaneity that goes on at every show. In fact, if you banter with them enough they might just make a song about it on the spot. If asked for influences you would find a long and varied list, John Lee Hooker, the Staples Singers, Captain Beefheart, Doc. Bogs, Nusrat, Black Sabbath, Prince, and Hank Williams just to name a few.
