Cody Jinks and COC provide a night of Country and Metal at Coyote Joes

Cody Jinks and Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity at Coyote Joes in Charlotte North Carolina

By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography

Charlotte, NC (May 9th, 2019) – Standing outside of Coyote Joe’s in Charlotte, NC this evening you could feel the excitement of tonight’s show building but a since of confusion for some as well. There’s been some curiosity surrounding this show since its announcement. A venue known for its history of country acts coming through its no surprise to see Cody Jinks as tonight’s headliner. Show opener Corrosion of Conformity is where questions arose. A heavy metal band formed in 1982 based out of Raleigh, NC was definitely an odd mix but one many enjoyed once the show started. As Cody stated later in the night, he’s been a fan of COC since he was 16yrs old and saw them open for Metallica. Many fans are unaware of Cody’s own metal background as he was formerly in a band called Unchecked Aggression. COC frontman Pepper Keenan made note that tonight’s show was the idea of Cody and Charlotte was test ground for what could be more rock and country shows together in the future.

As COC took the stage they held nothing back. With many long time fans of theirs in the crowd there was an energy for the start. Within a few songs it was evident the group was winning over some of Cody’s hardcore country fans and before the end of the set the band had the packed out venue wanting more. Frontman and guitarist Pepper Keenan led the group through a mixture of the bands notable songs like, “Wiseblood,” “Little Man” and “Diablo Blvd.”

Along with Woodroe Weatherman’s lead guitar work and Mike Dean’s heavy bass lines COC held everyone’s attention with head banging anthems and a demanding presence. The band introduced the crowd to some new music as well playing “No Cross, No Crown” from their latest album release of the same name.

A highlight of the set was the song “Albatross.” Pepper sent this song out to Cody who had been standing side stage the whole set with fellow band mates taking in the performance. Mid song Cody joined the band on stage providing some vocals as well along side a long time idol.

Closing out their set with ”Clean My Wounds” the band stepped it up a bit. Pepper stepping out front of the stage, one foot on a speaker and one on the railing right into the front row of the crowd as he traded lead guitar licks with Woodroe.

Corrosion of Conformity has released a summer tour schedule that you should check out in person if you get the chance.

After a stage turnover Cody Jinks and his band of Tone Deaf Hippies opened their set with “Must Be The Whiskey” from the groups latest album “Lifers.”joined by a filled venue of fans singing along to every word Jinks and band went on to perform other fan favorites such as “Mamma Song,” “No Gurantees,” and “Somewhere In The Middle” showcasing music from a growing collection of work. Cody took a moment to make mention of the groups current studio work having just recorded 15 new tracks in Texas before heading out to North Carolina for this show.

One thing that stands out about Jinks and his band is the genuineness he portrays on stage through songs filled with truth that resonate with audiences across the country and how he interacts with supporters off stage as well. Having met Cody in a horse pasture party 4yrs ago in Spartanburg, SC opening for local acts The Piedmont Boys and Josh Brannon Band I’ve attended many shows since then and watched as his popularity has grown. Despite an immense amount of success that sense of appreciation has never left as was seen prior to tonight’s show with Cody and other band members joining fans in the parking lot for nearly an hour just hanging out waiting on doors to open.

On stage Jinks is backed by a band with the same passion and drive as himself. Guitarist Chris Claridy and bassist Josh Thompson have been staples of the group since I first saw them. Since then Austin “Hot Rod” Tripp has joined the band on pedal steel along with Drew Harakal on keys and acoustic and Dave Colvin on drums. Together these 6 guys fill the stage with an exuberant presence and hold to traditional values of real country music not heard on mainstream radio today. Something evident when the band covered the classic hits “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” by Alan Jackson and “I’m Over You” by the late Keith Whitley. Jinks also took time to show support for some other current country artists mentioning co-writing credit to Ward Davis as they played through “I’m Not The Devil” and spoke of writing “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’” with Whitey Morgan just down the road in a South Carolina hotel room.

Throughout the set Jinks engaged the crowd with backstories of songs and shaking hands along the front row. With crowd singing along to each song played Cody gave the fans the lead vocal reigns as they played “Cast No Stones” near the end of the set before closing out with “Hippies and Cowboys.”

The band left the stage only to be called back out for an encore. Cody taking the stage alone with just his guitar as he provided a solo intro into “Rock and Roll” that slowly built as each member of the group rejoined filling in the song providing a variety of dynamics before ending with “Loud and Heavy.”

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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography

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