THE SOUTHERN DEAD / HENRY WAGON LIVE ON COLLEGE STREET

THE SOUTHERN DEAD / HENRY WAGON LIVE ON COLLEGE STREET

By Ralph Beauchamp

The Dead South brought their “Chains & Stakes World tour” to College Street Music Hall in New Haven with the hilarious Henry Wagons as direct support.

On Thursday 10/24, my business partner Scott and I traveled to New Haven to see one of our favorite bands, The Dead South. We last saw them a few years ago in Boston at the House of Blues and it was a brilliant event. This evening started with dinner at Bar which also happens to be a favorite of both of us. After pizza and a few beers we went to another favorite hangout, the College Street Music Hall. There are so many favorites.

Commencement act Henry Wagons is an Australian singer/songwriter, television personality, radio host and part-time lunatic. He also fronted an illegal country/rock band called the Wagons. As a solo artist, the Wagons released four full-lengths with The Four Seasons (Cheatin' Hearts Records) is the latest. Wagons has also been nominated for several music awards. He has won an AIR Award (2017), has been nominated for several Music Victoria Awards and is nominated for Best Country album for The Four Seasons at the Aria Awards later this month.

Photographs by Ralph Beauchamp

Tonight, one thing was certain. Henry Wagons has a strange kind of charisma. His rapport with the audience was amazing. After, and even during, each song, he would engage the audience with a funny story about himself or his life. He constantly picked a member of the audience to join in on the fun. For example, before performing his song, “Freight Train (Going South),” he grabbed Arthur from the crowd and had him blow a train whistle that rocked the house. He also picked out another person in the pit and proceeded to playfully pull him into longing for his sister while playing “Keep Your Eyes Off My Sister”

The whole Wagons set was this kind of fun joke. His stories were entertaining and his songs had an edge. “Love Me Like I Love You” (cover by Wagons), “Big City Blues” and “Friends Of Mine” were well received. He closed with another cover of the Wagons 'Willie Nelson'. Overall, Henry Wagons was the perfect opener The Dead South. It certainly kept the room spellbound.

The Dead South is a four piece folk/bluegrass ensemble from Saskatchewan, Canada. We've been following the band for quite some time now with multiple features in AMP. The band's sound is full of wonderful licks and soulful melodies. They also love to spin a story with their imaginative lyrics. The listener is easily immersed in their stories with dark comedy and satirical content. Many of their songs have a wicked twist, but the beats are so lively that they just go with the flow.

The band consists of Nate Hilts (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Pringle (Mandolin/Guitar/Vocals), Danny Kenyon (Cello/Vocals) and Colton Crawford (Banjo). The Dead South have released four studio albums with the latest being Chains & Stakes (Six Shooter Records) this year. In addition, the band has 4 EPs and a live full length under their belt.

As soon as The Dead South took the stage, the audience's excitement grew. These were seasoned fans who sang virtually every song word for word. The entire set was heavily influenced by 2014 Good company album and their latest Chains & Stakes.

Photographs by Ralph Beauchamp

“Blood On The Mind” started the ball rolling and the crowd was already into the groove. Hilts raw vocals filled the house with soft honey while their harmonies were gorgeous. Colton's banjo strummed with addictive delight. Pringle's mandolin flared with fearless beauty and Kenyon's cello was bold. Next up was “Yous To Keep”, also off Chains. The atmosphere was getting better and better. Good company“The Recap” followed and the audience was in aural heaven. The picking was fast and furious.

“Travellin' Man”, “Boots” (except 2016 Illusion & Doubt) and “Black Lung” (out of 2019 Sugar & Joy) delivered more seductive punches. Overall, The Dead South fueled by 16 songs in their main set. “The Dead South”, “Diamond Ring” and “Completely, Sweetly” were definitely fan favorites. The Dead South closed strong with three songs from Good company. “That Bastard Son” came first and College Street was rocking. They continued with their monster, 'In Hell I'll Be In Good Company'. Everyone was singing along. “Honey You” capped it off. The encore featured two more Good company compositions. “Broken Cowboy” and “Banjo Odyssey” left the audience in heightened bliss.

The Dead South came to play and totally killed the night. I highly recommend checking them out. buy their records, but more importantly see them live. You will be easily converted.

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