By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Newberry, SC (October 17th, 2019) – Rolling into the quiet, historic town of Newberry, SC this evening seemed like the calm before a storm. Couples walking up and down Main Street in and out of the local shops unaware to the the energy building inside their very own Newberry Opera House. As night fall began to close in the streets filled with a different group of people like a thunderhead brewing. Attire changed from Sunday church casual to holy jeans, black shirts and chains as fans of Jackyl entered through the venue doors. Stopping to see Kerry at the bands merch booth attendees loaded up on more band gear before taking their seats.
Seven Year Witch
Kicking things off for the evening is Anderson, SC based band Seven Year Witch. Having released their album “Songs Our Mother’s Love” in 2018 the group has followed up with their 2019 single “My Turn.” The hard hitting, high flying (literally), in your face rock band with a touch of vintage throwback 70’s vibe yet modern sounding 7YW demands your attention from the moment they take the stage. This young group of old rock souls command the stage like the veterans they are supporting tonight. Frontman Aaron Langford’s voiceresonates through the room as he engages the crowd between his back flips off the drum set while guitarist Gage Worley (son of Jackyl’s Chris Worley) provides the down and dirty riffs accompanied by some great guitar solo work. Nothing over the top but leads that fit right in place played with skillful precision. Holding down the groups foundation are brothers Seth Burden on drums and Spencer Burden on bass providing the beats and grooves that gets your ass out of the seats and up moving. Stand out songs like “Rags To Riches” and their cover of “Pony” by Ginuwine had the crowd wanting more. With more hair whip action than a 1980’s strip club in a Motley Crue video this band is definitely something to see.
Jackyl
As the intro music starts attendees get ready for what frontman Jesse James Dupree calls the “Jackyl Family Reunion.” As someone who has been a long time fan of this group and attending their shows since my dad took me to see them as a kid I fully understand Jesse’s proclamation. Looking through the crowd it’s easy to notice the the loyal fans of many years to the father with his young son reminding me of my dad and myself, to first timers such as “Big Willie” on the front row who spoke to me in excitement before the doors opened and on to the couple sitting in the second row literally with their walking cane’s in hand at the ages of 76 and 71. Speaking with the older man I asked what brought them to the show and he stated, “ain’t nothing like some good ol’ basic rock music and these boys put on a show.”
Filling their set with an array of songs spanning their over 25yr career Jackyl set out to prove this mans statement to be correct. Sticking to the fundamentals of rock the group led the crowd through longtime hits such as “Dirty Little Mind,” “Push Comes To Shove” and “When Will It Rain” with simple yet overly satisfying and catchy hooks that get fans singing along and fist pumping in the air. Throwing in newer favorites, “My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine’s Ass” and “Screwdriver” Jackyl kept the crowd on their feet and moving to the beats of Chris Worley’s drum work and Roman Glick’s energetic bass grooves as Jeff Worley provided the guitar work for the riff driven songs.
Never one to shy away from the the matters of drinking Jesse gave a solo Hank Williams prelude before he took a moment to slow the band down leading them into “Secret of the Bottle.” Following up with their 2016 song of the same topic Dupree explains that “Just Because I’m Drunk” don’t mean you’re right.
As the show begin to wind down to an end the energy sure didn’t. As the bluesy guitar intro of “The Lumberjack” filled the room the sound was joined by the chainsaw wielding Dupree whose turned the tool into a “Redneck Punk’s” musical instrument. Jackyl gives it all from the first to the last song engaging the crowd throughout the whole show. After filling the stage with sawdust from a now destroyed bar stool the show is closed out with a literal bang with a “Blast Off” from the shotgun microphone stand.
Catch Jackyl out on tour through December 14th where they end the year at the infamous Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan and always remember to “ROWYCO.”
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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
Jackyl
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Seven Year Witch
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