Friday night in Atlanta’s East Atlanta Village was a night for some good ole fashioned rock ‘n’ roll at The EARL. A lineup of 4 bands that were a good mix of different styles of rock, both local (The Dirty Souls, The Howling Tongues), and some of Nashville (Tesla Rossa) and Philadelphia’s (Low Cut Connie) best. A diverse lineup, each with their own following, that fit perfectly together through strong influences of the rock greats from the past, Atlanta got a treat.
The Dirty Souls Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
First up to start the night were local favorites The Dirty Souls. Guitar driven rock influenced by soul and the greats such as The Stones and Beatles, The Dirty Souls had the crowd hanging on every guitar lick. This was the welcome to the party set, and the Souls warmed up the Atlanta audience perfectly for what was about to come.
The Dirty Souls Live at the EARL
Tesla Rossa Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
Up next were Nashville fuzz rockers Tesla Rossa. Years of touring, perfecting their sound while melting faces, Tesla Rossa released their self titled debut full length LP in 2014 on Silver Point Records. Combining blues rock, arena melodies with their fuzz rock while still able to keep a pop sensibility, these guys grab a hold of your ears while giving you a swift punch in the gut. Even with loud guitars surrounding him, singer Jason Denton’s voice is still front and center, while the band as a whole brings the energy in the room up to a boil. These guys are the real deal.
Tesla Rossa Live at the EARL
The Howling Tongues Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
The third band in the lineup before headliner Low Cut Connie, was Atlanta’s own The Howling Tongues. The 5 piece band have been tearing up clubs for a few years now, reminding audiences of their rock favorites from the 70s. These guys are revivalists, and damn what a show they put on.
The Howling Tongues Live at the EARL
There was one odd thing mentioned, for a band that has played all around, this was The Howling Tongues first time playing The EARL, a legendary Atlanta club built on rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a right of passage for national touring bands to have played The EARL at least once coming through Atlanta. But here was local Atlantans, The Howling Tongues, finally hitting The EARL’s stage for the first time. Welcome to the party guys, you fit right in. Guitar solos, some small onstage moshing, hair flying around, jumping around stage, engaging the audience, the crowd at The EARL was eating up The Howling Tongues. These guys are at their best live, and they should be on your radar if you are looking for some great live rock ‘n’ roll.
The Howling Tongues
Low Cut Connie Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
For a band that has garnered as much love as Low Cut Connie has since the release of their 2011 debut Get Out the Lotion, landing on NPR / Fresh Air’s Top Ten Albums Of The Year, while their 2nd album Call Me Sylvia included one of Rolling Stone’s top 50 songs of 2012, “Boozophilia”, and they played the grand reopening of Jack White’s Third Man Records venue, this is a band you don’t seem to hear about often enough about how great they are (well ok Obama is on board). Even with their excellent 2015 third record, Hi Honey (Contender Records), featuring guest stars Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards), Dean Ween, Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound), and members of the Dap Kings and The Budos Band and was produced by the renowned Thomas Brenneck (Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, Alabama Shakes), the big news on Low Cut Connie this year has been singer Adam Weiner being offered a spot on The Voice, and turning it down (Philly Mag).
Low Cut Connie Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
After finally seeing Low Cut Connie live, it’s clear this band is legit, deserving of all the accolades on their music and live shows. Adam Weiner was front and center on his piano, channelling his inner Jerry Lee Lewis, ripping up the stage all while having the best time dancing, jumping all over his piano and bench, and being as weird as he wanted to be. Adam was starring down members of the audience throughout, making them feel uncomfortable while completely sweeping them up and wrapping them into Low Cut Connie’s live show. He was ripping chest hairs out while standing up above the audience on his piano bench, all while telling the story of Shandra (sp? who knows), and how the piano got her name while Adam was at Atlanta’s legendary hole in the wall, the Clermont Lounge one day, a sort of strip club maybe not really, that is a must see for any Atlanta out of town guest. As Adam told it “One of the guys became friendly with an older lady by that name. She crushed a beer can in her ass and then signed it.” Every Atlantan has a Clermont Lounge story, and even though it may or may not be a true story, Adam knows how to connect with this audience. The band immediately went into their hit “Shake it Little Tina” off of their latest Hi Honey and the crowd went wild, dancing commenced.
Low Cut Connie Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
With Adam and drummer/guitarist Dan Finnemore from Birmingham, England, the band’s other primary songwriter, switching off lead vocals song to song, the band brought back the music of our past, good ole fashioned pure rock ‘n’ roll that you can dance, sing, clap, rock out to, and just plain boogie. It’s a total throwback, revivalist music that feels like your playing one of your classic 45s on the jukebox, something you’d hear and ask what year this came out. But it’s new and current, and these guys are making their own classics, stage by stage, record by record. Low Cut Connie puts on a show that you will want to be there for. Atlanta sure loved it!
Low Cut Connie Live at the EARL in East Atlanta, GA
More photos of Low Cut Connie:
More photos of The Howling Tongues:
Additional photos of Tesla Rossa:
Photos By: John McNicholas Photography
Catch Low Cut Connie on tour:
10/23/15: The EARL – ATL GA : http://on.fb.me/1WvLyvT
10/24/15: Circle Bar – NOLA : http://on.fb.me/1WvLzQB
10/26/15: Hotel Vegas – Austin TX : http://on.fb.me/1juOvie
10/27/15: Dan’s Silver Leaf – Denton TX : http://on.fb.me/1L2iaJQ
10/28/15: The Buccaneer – Memphis TN : http://on.fb.me/1YMrU0F
10/29/15: JJs Bohemia – Chattanooga TN : http://on.fb.me/1Vlkq5z
10/30/15: Tiger Mountain – Asheville NC : http://on.fb.me/1h7JhHn
10/31/15: Brevard Street Festival – Brevard NC
11/01/15: Snug Harbor – Charlotte NC : http://on.fb.me/1ME4Kmy
11/03/15:WCL@TheQueen-WilmingtonDE:http://on.fb.me/1JAlxm0
11/05/15: Great Scott – Allston MA : http://on.fb.me/1O5V7Au
11/07/15: The Drake – Toronto ON : http://on.fb.me/1O5UAOP
