The Sweet Chariots' Album Release Party
Saturday, September 1
Propaganda in Lake Worth
Better than: French fries on a grilled cheese sammich.
Walking down the street on an otherwise unassuming downtown Lake Worth Saturday night, the muffled rumbling of rockabilly filled the the air. As if by magic, Propaganda's facade appeared, nestled between an alleyway and a closed record store. The club swelled with rock and roll fans and excitement for the CD release party of The Sweet Chariots' new album, Someone Else's Greatest Hits.
With openers Black Weather Shaman, Black Finger, Leading the Heroes, Routine Scheme, and The Butchers, the stage was electrified by true-blue Americana. With their music and looks, the bands recreated the feel of a juke-joint from long ago, where bad-assery ruled and wayfarers, undershirts, and cuffed blue jeans were the required costume.
Since the folks at Propaganda seemed not to bother with the 21st century convenience of central air conditioning, each act belted out their sets with lightning speed, allowing just enough time for a Jack and coke refill, a chocolate cherry shot, or a PBR. Groups of rowdy boys played pool, primping one another's pompadours in between side pocket sinks.
When the Sweet Chariots took the stage though, every Tom, Dick, and Harry dropped what they were doing and flocked to watch. With a nice blend of originals and country, folk, and rock covers of Wayne Hancock, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, George Jones, and Reverend Horton Heat, the audience jived and wailed along as singer Thomas Warren belted out his pitch-perfect yodels. He was backed by Steve Satch who sickeningly stroked the stand-up bass, Freddy Schwenk who unforgivingly pounded away on the drums, Matt Parker on guitar, and Andy Mcausland on lap steel. The crowd was "Gone, Gone, Gone" with the music, along with "Johnny Law." Many sang the "Cocaine Blues."
In addition to being easy on the eyes (these dudes have better hair than the most be-weaved celebrity) the Sweet Chariots exuded a dynamic and sound that sets them apart from the over-saturated rockabilly musical market. With 2011's Bad Man and The Ramblin' Man under their belts, and the well-recieved release of Someone Else's Greatest Hits, they managed to bring their own flare to the honky tonk.
Their original songs, like "1, 2, 3, 4," "I'm Gonna Find a New Baby Tonight," and "The Ring," set them apart as well. The five-piece had perfect timing accented by Warren's effortless vocals. Like good musicians do, they got the crowd to fall in love with the Sweet Chariots.
Critics Notebook
Overheard in the crowd: "Alright bro, let's go home and puke."
Personal bias 1: It was too hot and there was no ventilation or any sort of circulation. We were steaming like broccoli in boiling water. Not cute.
Personal bias 2: If you lose your ID in a cab in Orlando, it doesn't matter how old you look. The door guy still won't give you a wristband, but he'll give you about five feet of attitude.
Set list:
Gone, Gone, Gone (Wayne Hancock)
1, 2, 3, 4
I'm Gonna Find a New Baby Tonight
Cocaine Blues (Johnny Cash)
Johnny Law (Wayne Hancock)
The Ring
Ramblin Man (Hank Williams Senior)
Bad Man
Bales of Cocaine (Reverend Horton Heat)
Mean, Mean Woman
Wild One (Jerry Lee Lewis)
I Didn't Do It
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