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just_cydThe Wake Forest Listening Room is one of my favorite venues; I've attended half a dozen shows there in the last year. And I was thrilled that both WFLR and the Wes Collins Band could reschedule their canceled show so quickly, and on a weekend I would already be in town.
The band is made up of front man Wes Collin, guitarist Scott Dameron, bassist FJ Ventre, and drummer Barry Gray, but the versatility of Wes's music means that in whatever form its presented, it is amazing. (all-guitar trio, Wes & Scott, Wes solo, the full band with cajon, or this, the full band with drum kit)
I arrived as the doors opened and the band was finishing up a delicious-looking deep-fried dinner (I assume from next door), joking all the while about arteries hardening on stage and greasy fingers on guitar strings. They brought me into their banter as I handed off the little care package I'd intended for Friday night's show - Throat Coat tea, honey, and everything but the hot water to make it all happen.
Most bands have a fairly static set list, opening and closing with the same songs, the ones that work best in those positions, and mixing up the middle as the audience and time slot require. They mostly followed the set list that I got a pic of, but moved "I Love You Guys" to the second song, totally throwing me off, as he usually closes with that song. Despite the drum kit, there weren't drums on every song, but three guitars and a bass are what some of these songs need. A few of the songs, like Everyone Dances, are kicked up to 11 by the application of Dameron's electric guitar. I don't know what guitar gods he's channeling, but his playing brings a hauntingly beautiful song far into the depths of speechless beauty. ::shudders:: it's something that must be experienced at least once.
For Sugar Skull, Barry pulled out the cajon for percussion, and the guys blazed a path through the place, killin' in at speed. We talked with them after the show, insisting Barry needs to be on the full kit for this song, and he agrees, but they've never practiced it that way, as he doesn't want to blow out their eardrums. "Earplugs" someone helpfully suggested, so here's hoping the next full-band show will include that.
They wrapped up the show with their amazing cover of Louden Wainwright III's "I Don't Think That Your Wife Likes Me" to uproarious applause. That song gives each member of the band a chance to shine, and turns Wes loose vocally, after his quiet and introspective songs. (and I apologize that it opens with me snickering)
The band has great merch for sale, and I'm hoping the rumors of a new shirt with the line "Making it Awkward" come to fruition. Wes has a bunch of dates coming up in March and April and May, so you should go check him out.
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2025: Trip #3, Concert #5
The band is made up of front man Wes Collin, guitarist Scott Dameron, bassist FJ Ventre, and drummer Barry Gray, but the versatility of Wes's music means that in whatever form its presented, it is amazing. (all-guitar trio, Wes & Scott, Wes solo, the full band with cajon, or this, the full band with drum kit)
I arrived as the doors opened and the band was finishing up a delicious-looking deep-fried dinner (I assume from next door), joking all the while about arteries hardening on stage and greasy fingers on guitar strings. They brought me into their banter as I handed off the little care package I'd intended for Friday night's show - Throat Coat tea, honey, and everything but the hot water to make it all happen.
Most bands have a fairly static set list, opening and closing with the same songs, the ones that work best in those positions, and mixing up the middle as the audience and time slot require. They mostly followed the set list that I got a pic of, but moved "I Love You Guys" to the second song, totally throwing me off, as he usually closes with that song. Despite the drum kit, there weren't drums on every song, but three guitars and a bass are what some of these songs need. A few of the songs, like Everyone Dances, are kicked up to 11 by the application of Dameron's electric guitar. I don't know what guitar gods he's channeling, but his playing brings a hauntingly beautiful song far into the depths of speechless beauty. ::shudders:: it's something that must be experienced at least once.
For Sugar Skull, Barry pulled out the cajon for percussion, and the guys blazed a path through the place, killin' in at speed. We talked with them after the show, insisting Barry needs to be on the full kit for this song, and he agrees, but they've never practiced it that way, as he doesn't want to blow out their eardrums. "Earplugs" someone helpfully suggested, so here's hoping the next full-band show will include that.
They wrapped up the show with their amazing cover of Louden Wainwright III's "I Don't Think That Your Wife Likes Me" to uproarious applause. That song gives each member of the band a chance to shine, and turns Wes loose vocally, after his quiet and introspective songs. (and I apologize that it opens with me snickering)
The band has great merch for sale, and I'm hoping the rumors of a new shirt with the line "Making it Awkward" come to fruition. Wes has a bunch of dates coming up in March and April and May, so you should go check him out.
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2025: Trip #3, Concert #5
