The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Change A Monday Into A Friday At Turf Club

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There’s no such thing as “a case of the Monday’s” when you have a show as brilliant as the one I had last night. To say it spruced up my Monday would be an understatement and to say that it felt more like a hyped-up Friday night in the Turf Club rather than a sleep Monday wouldn’t be a lie. I may have been a wee bit exhausted when I first stepped foot in the Turf Club but both of the bands that performed had a way about them that instantly had me feeling energized and ready to take on what is sure to be a long week of work and shows.

Getting the night started off in the best way possible was local group Marah in the Mainsail. This group has been on my watch list for awhile now but sadly, like many other local bands I’ve been dying to see live, I just haven’t had a chance to catch them yet– or at least until last night. The rag tag group of musicians (seriously, each of them had a different style which seemed to bring a different sound to the table which made this set absolutely amazing) wasted no time and jumped right into what would turn into a forty-five minute set without hesitation.

I could probably write an entire post about Marah in the Mainsail’s live show. It was fun, exciting, and original both when it came to music and performance. Let’s start with the music. As mentioned, it was clear that each of the five members brought something different to the table. The glimpses of metal and pirate-metal were real but also there was something very indie-pop during other moments. With an almost constant sound of trombone, this band clearly doesn’t let anyone put them in a box so I’m not going to even try. What I can tell you is that all of their music makes you want to move but it’s not in your face. Okay, maybe it’s a bit in your face like when bassist Austin Wilder swapped him bass out for a marching bass drum and went into the crowd or when trombonist John Baumgartner followed suit and did the same thing to wrap up the set but it was absolutely energizing.

Outside of the band taking turns marching through the packed audience, the live show that these five musicians gave the crowd was absolutely stunning. There was a sense of energy and fire that you would get at a rock or metal show but also a respect of the notes and music that you would find at a softer indie show. Austin Wilder was definitely the most animated of the bunch what with his dramatic faces and the way he was singing along to every word like he was a fan, not just a member, but there were times where I felt like I couldn’t blink because I wanted to take absolutely everything in. Clearly I could go on and on for days about this group but I’ll spare you and just make my friends listen to me rant about my new found love for Marah in the Mainsail. Seriously, what an amazing band giving the Twin Cities the best name possible. I will definitely be seeing more of this group and they will have to deal with more posts of me just gushing over them (sorry guys).

What drew me to headliner The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band was that, with a band name containing the phrase “Big Damn Band”, you would expect a big damn band– correct? The trio took the stage just a little bit after 9 PM and instantly exceeded all of my expectations. There’s something so fun and so freeing about RPBDB that just can’t be put into words but has to be seen. As soon as the band took the stage the mood in the audience shifted from an already excited and lively mood to a very party vibe. With some people dancing and others just standing in the back with their eyes glued to the stage, this was one of those shows that no matter how you chose to spend your time there, you followed up each song with applause and a couple shouts and had a giant smile on your face the entire time.

The themes of the night seemed to be fun and not being put in a box. RPBDB’s music is kind of all over the place but in the best possible way. The trio consists of Reverend J. Peyton on vocals and lead guitar (this guy is an insane guitarist), “Washboard” Breezy “The Miss Elizabeth of Country Blues” Peyton on, you guessed it, the washboard and vocals and then Max Senteney on drums. For just a trio, this group definitely has a big damn band sound to them. A little old-timey due to the washboard and The Reverend’s raspy yet bright voice, these guys could fit into the bluegrass scene, the punk scene, hell, they could belong in whatever scene you want them to. Their set could have lasted hours on end but it still wouldn’t have been enough for me. Every song they played was brilliant but I know they could have played at least a million more. From the energy to the music, everything about RPBDB’s set was beyond perfect.

I feel like these guys are constantly grinding whether by means of recording or touring. They’ve been through the area time and time again but for some reason I never caught them. Maybe I had bigger shows to go to those nights that they were in town but, in retrospect, there’s no way there was a better show to go to. I was left stunned and in love with The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band’s show and I am already counting down the days until I can see them again. Hell, both of the bands last night had me smiling from ear to ear and had me tapping my toes to every single beat.

Get rid of your “case of the Monday’s” by finding a show. Make your Monday night feel like a Friday night by finding a show being performed by bands like Marah in the Mainsail and The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band.

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