“How many more times? It’s Cronos not Conrad!” My first introduction to the Sadies began with a tale from their show in Newcastle. Venom’s Black Metal frontman recurring through the story like a Monty Python stooge. Death to false metal indeed.
If you're unfamiliar with The Sadies they’ve been carrying the torch of psychedelic country rock for the best part of three decades. Imagine the band the pre-sampler Primal Scream thought they were, imbued with the spirits of Clarence White, Gram Parsons and Arthur Lee. You need some serious chops to get near that stuff. Then when you have the technique you’ve got to tie it to the soul, keep the music scorching not settling.
Country music and alcohol have a lot in common, there for the party, there for when your heart is broken. Losing Dallas Good was tough on any one who had met him, let alone on his band mates and brother. He was an impossibly talented songwriter and musician, a gentleman and funny as hell. The fact the band got up off the canvas to honour his music and legacy, testament that Canadians are tougher than they get credit for, their national sport is ice hockey after all.
Travis hulks across the stage, commanding guitar strings that resonate like hammered girders. Sean with double bass, noble, careering through sonic tide. Mike keeps rhythms focused, on course the gyroscope, the balance. Dallas looks on from a seaming stained glass backdrop, his presents palpable.
“My brother didn’t like the summer..” Travis drawls and the band launch into the judder of ‘Another Season’ drawing the set to a close. When they return to the stage with Robyn Hitchckok the batman riff of Barrett era Floyd’s ‘Lucifer Sam’ echoes out. Robin settles straight in and rides out the rest of the encore with the band. The Country Punk of Hitchkock’s Soft Boys and Leed’s The Mekons is a touchstone to The Sadies and many country infused acts across the Atlantic like Will Oldham.
We catch up backstage, Travis still glissading with sweat greats us with a hearty grin.. “ We named our dog after Sally Tims (of The Mekons).. she wasn’t pleased! “ Sadly no sign of Cronos, scratching his head at the rider’s smorgasbord, being puzzled by pickled cucumbers. Power to courage, power to family.
Check out
The Sadies "Stop and Start", a short performance film
The Sadies "Another Season Again"
Robyn Hitchcock & The Sadies "Astronomy Domine" & "Lucifer Sam" Sept 13, 2015 https://youtu.be/aHweEQNtZfc?si=nq8IGBgkwkWKfyBn
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