Strand of Oaks in Chicago...

In Chicago this past weekend we saw Strand of Oaks. This band is the vehicle for songwriter Tim Showalter and it's the second time I've seen them. First time was 2015 and I blogged about it at this link.  The band played at Lincoln Hall which is a part of the world famous Schuba's Tavern music venue.   

Going to see Strand of Oaks is a little like going to a Mountain Goats show. It's a room full of nerds rocking out and singing all the lyrics. Even though I probably own five of his cds and I can't say I know any of the lyrics it's music that makes me feel good. If you have ever had some kind of set back, injury, illness, career changes, struggled with being fat, had relationships go bad or sat in your room wondering if these songs you were writing would ever be played in front of a room full of people that felt the same way as you I bet you will like this music.    

The band has that anthemic rock song sound that someone compared to the late Meat Loaf. I don't know much about Meat Loaf other than he got good critical reviews, sold 65 million records that are still selling and appeared in 50 movies. He probably had some ups and downs during all that but they have not connected with me. Maybe it's because I'm in my room with them old songs of mine and if I start buying Meat Loaf records at this late date after I'm gone the kids will see them and say, "See I told you he was sick." 

Both times I have seen Strand of Oaks the backing band has delivered guitar fireworks

I also suggest you check out Tim's guitar player Pat Finnerty. He was the opening act and did a combination of comedy and song as a guitar and drum duo. Very funny and the you tube channel is What Makes This Song Stink. Some kind of reaction to all the youtubers coving the opposite thing, what makes this song great. I don't know if he does anything on Meat Loaf but if you click here you can start to understand how bad Kid Rock really is. warning, there are bad words and all said by Kid.  . 

   

 

Strand of Oaks...

Here's a band, Strand of Oaks that is not exactly new to us but they are out with an album released in 2014, Heal that is a more electric, more rocking than the folky type sound on a cd we had by them called Leave Ruin.  Stand of Oaks is essentially a guy called Tim Showalter. We saw them at the Hogs for the Cause BBQ Cook Off in New Orleans. They are playing all the big festivals this summer. 

Seems over the past few years Tim has had some challenges. Marriage broke up. His house burned down. I think a period of homelessness. A bad car wreck. According to the internets some problems with weight. Somehow through all this he decided to rock out. The songs still have some sad content and is music of alienation as with the title "Heal" it's to make you better. I think he is happier playing and rocking these songs out. This band had a huge electric sound. 

This was a new guy in the band. I did not get his name but this was his third show with this group. You would not have guessed it the way they played together. These all seem to be dedicated Fender Musical Instrument guys, amps and guitars. That's a big headstock late 60s-early 70s Competition Mustang Guitar. It's hacked up with a humbucker pickup added in the neck position. 

Left handed bass dude. A rocker. 

As I say pretty huge guitar sounds and both six string players seemed to be using extensive pedal boards I would have liked to get a look at to get a variety of really big reverby sounds. I made a friend while watching this band, the kind of friend who you just start talking about stuff you both like and never trade names or meet again. We talked about the guitar sounds and this guy said that he had worked for famed producer Daniel Lanois when he based himself in New Orleans recording albums for the Neville Brothers and Bob Dylan. I"m a big fan of Lanois and have many of his recordings and records he has produced and recently read his book "Soul Mining." 

Me and my friend hit it off so well that he later brought his boyfriend over and introduced us. Nice folks to watch a show with. As I looked around I think I noted quite a few folks who who were also watching this show who might fall into that alienated outside looking in category that Strand of Oaks is trying to heal in this music. I look forward to where this music may go. I think this guy is on to something pretty good and he is humble and real about it. Not always the case in show business.