Posted on December 30, 2009 - by Editor

Drag The River + Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves

All Photos by Imelda Michalczyk

First up Chris Wollard & The Ship Thieves who are supporting Drag The river on their first European and UK venture, with Chris recently spending time touring Germany with Hot Water Music. The night is a freezing cold one and although the numbers in the crowd are fare for a Monday night, there is a positive expectant buzz.

I find the early part of the set a bit lacklustre, and although I’m not familiar with the band or their songs I did expect more from a man who has a fine pedigree as a musician and a pretty decent band resume.

Their southern rock set is very laid back and Chris is a good singer, no doubt. It’s not raucous by any account but by the mid way point I’m far more engaged with them and their sound and whether it’s the beers or the band turning it up a notch the second half of the bands performance is far better. It’s not a show that will make me run out and buy a record but it’s definitely a band that has some appeal, not the straight folk route but far more contemporary.

Jon Snodgrass and Chad Price, the duo that are the core of Drag The River are playing without a supporting band but their chemistry and friendship is such that no backing is really required. Each has a distinctive vocal sound and they accompany each other to make what one punter quite accurately describes as beautiful music.

They have a healthy backlog of songs to draw from and each also now has a solo album out, from which they do perform tracks as well. Jon and Chad are so very comfortable with each other’s playing and vocal range it’s like they are two halves of one at times and even when mistakes are made (and they are- blame the alcohol) it’s a thoroughly enjoying performance; grassroots, stripped down and pure really. Their acoustic folk, country sound is never dull nor boring and the crowd albeit not packing the place out, are incredibly appreciative, despite the ongoing murmer of chatter to the back of the room.

At one point Chad asks if anybody could get him a shot of Sambuca to which a couple shots are lined up near his and Jon’s feet, without a glance to the actual contents of the glass, Chad slugs it down and the tequila surprise is instantly etched in horror on his quickly paling face.  A few moments to gather himself, despite a run to the side of the stage to empty his stomachs contents, he returns to the stage front and declares that you should never sneak a tequila on someone. That’s the show really, unassuming, genuine and surprisingly good.