Hi! I'm Rory McClellan. I used to edit the Bam Bam Club Fanzine "Bam Slams" and follow the exploits of the artist (Jimmy Honeyman) as a young man. Wow! That was so long ago. I've been on a journey toward the sun since those days. When I heard via postcard at my Millville retreat that Jimmy was playing a Monday night gig, I have to admit, I got a bit nostalgic. I witnessed so many rocking shows to near empty houses at the Bottom line/Wrocklege. So I thought. I'll drive up in the mini-cooper and see what's what. Surely, he doesn't expect anyone to come out on a Monday night!
If you haven't been to Mag Bar. it's a great dive saloon. You could imagine GG Allin playing there in the 90's. Anything went and goes except music after 11 p.m. on a Monday. Yes, evidently Old Louisville is getting so gentrified that the show originally starting at 10 got moved up to 8 p.m. Lucky, I caught that on Facebook.
I guess many of JH's old road crew have aged out. No Hawk, Killebrew, or Adam Rave. Jimmy and the band were humping their own gear. The headliner was Poor Eliza- I.E. Jane Park from Boston Mass. Also on the bill, the band Full Disclosure who looked a little below the age of consent if you know what I mean and I think you do! At a place like Mag bar, Full Disclosure is important.
Full Disclosure, apparently accompanied by their parents, and a semi full of gear from Guitar Center presented a logistics dilemma. They had so much gear that they had to, in essence, "headline" or go on last. If Peter Grant had been there, it would have ended in violence. Jane from out of town, playing acoustic, went first. Followed by the Jimmy Honeyman Quartet.
Poor Eliza played the best set of the night. Highlights were "Ghost Town" and "Good Doctor". I also liked "Battleship" but I'm not sure that's on any of her stuff on Bandcamp. Ms. Park possesses a unique voice, that set's her apart from the crowd. I may have to go to Nashville to see her when her tour resumes.
Jimmy fielded a band that included Jack Skinner on bass, Durant Payne on Drums, and Nicky Honeyboy on rhythm guitar. Word was that Durant wasn't well, having spent the afternoon at the E.R. The Quartet played an energetic though uneven set. The sound mix was pretty diabolical. The new guy, Nicky, plays a little tighter than the retired Ronnie Doo Wop. He and Durant gave "Old F and C", a Cramp's style garage ness. Best for me was the jazz instrumental "Volvo Sheets" and "Judgment Day", they never disappoint on that one.
I have to admit, I spent most of Full Disclosure's set in the bar. They did some Pixies covers (i think). They certainly had expensive toys to play on. They'll probably go far. They need to ditch the parents as roadies. Not very Rock and Roll.
To paraphrase the Kingslayer, Seth Rollins "I was happy wrestling at a bingo hall for a hotdog and handshake." I think the same goes for Jimmy and the boyz. They are happy to rock out for a Highlife and a slice of pizza (Donisi was pretty good). It's good to have him back. I hope he's working his way back to a Saturday night somewhere near you.