Jack Nasty has gone blond! Kid you not, and I love his locks. So did the Woodstock ladies, But blond hair isn't the only thing Brian Davis brings to the band. This man is so loaded with talent, super player, super singer, he even writes and does arrangements.
Craig Eubanks is the band's other blond (natural). He also plays guitar. Drummer Peter Frazier has normal hair, short, brown. Flip Ferrari, bassist, wears his raven locks long, hippie style.
This is the definitive classic rock band with major act veterans who really know their instruments and their repertoire. We caught up with them at Barracudas.
The opening song sizzles on the Peter Gunn theme, sliding into an even hotter "Low Rider". There's no turning back now. Barracuda's is a huge club, distant enough from neighbors that Jack Nasty can play loud! There's room for four hundred to party and dance. Could this be hippie heaven?
Brian and Pete are great singers, perfect in this genre. Craig sings the high vocals, Flip the low and growly, and all four harmonize. Both Brian and Craig play screaming lead and steady rhythm, Flip is all over the neck of his bass, and Pete plays drums with style, power, and panache. "Rocky Mountain Way" shows off Craig's strong high voice and killer lead. Jack Nasty takes no prisoners.
The fearsome foursome often segues from one tune into another without giving you time for a deep breath. They go right into "Cover Of the Rolling Stone" with great harmony vocals. Brian and Craig trade leads.
There are a few funny asides, some about Axl Rose, and the reason for the name of the band comes out. They were the Southernmost Blues Band until they threw out a rowdy customer one night, who turned out to be Shel Silverstein. The name was changed in a hurry.
If you expect these men to be serious, forget it! They're doing what they love and having a great time doing it. A fan requests the Stones' "I'm Just Waiting On a Friend". They ad lib it for a while, then go into "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Flip sings this one. Brian rocks the lead into a fast paced frenzy, then back into tempo.
My favorite Jack Nasty classic rocker is next. They shine again on Badfinger's "No Matter What You Are". Peter's lead vocal has great back-ups. A comment from the audience brings forth a short, demented taste of "Margaritaville". "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes" proves CSN sounds great with a ton of raw power in it. It's hard to decide which is better, the playing or the singing. Craig sings "Sweet Child Of Mine", another winner. Led Zeppelin? Of course! "Immigrant Song" leads into "You Mama Don't Dance". Everybody else does.
Brian calls "the legendary Gary Chase" to the stage and hands him his guitar. Gary sings the Doors' "Riders On the Storm", moving into Eric Clapton and Don Williams' "Tulsa Time", which rocks hard. For the record, Gary's hair is red with a long braid.
An original. "Being a Friend" (or as someone in the crowd said: "the song that saved Spiritstock") is really fine. They will be recording it soon.
The Jack Nasty Band was hired instantly for a return Woodstock engagement next year (no surprise here). If you want to experience the wonderful rowdy days of real rock and roll, head for Barracuda's (right on the ocean at 1420 Simonton Street) tonight or tomorrow.
Stay cool.