||||Mediocre Music Blog

All-American Rock ‘n Roll: who comes to mind? The Eagles? Lynyrd Skynyrd? Truth & Salvage Co.? After seeing them live for the first time at Piano’s in New York on Saturday night (6/19/10), I’d have to say that they have potential to be in the same class.  L.A.-based Truth & Salvage Co. rolled into the Big Apple and blew the roof off, playing their brand of southern and country tinged rock to an enthusiastic audience.  The sextet performed a tight set of songs from their self-titled debut album along with a handful of new ones that they have been toying with on this tour. This is the latest headlining tour from the band after opening on previous tours for big name acts such as The Black Crowes, Steve Miller Band, and Levon Helm of The Band.

T&S’s music is filled with catchy hooks, rooted in the lyrical and melodic sensibilities of Southern rock, from which many of band members drew influences growing up.  The musical chemistry among the band members is strongly evident from the first tune and contagious to anyone watching them as many of the members have played together for over 15 years.  What was most impressive to me is the prominence of four-part vocal harmonies, the cornerstone of their sound.  There are very few bands past or present that I have heard who sing together as strongly as T&S. Combined with an energetic and uplifting catalog to draw from, their live show evokes memories of those classic 70s American rock bands that seemed to have gone out of style.

Highlights from show include “Hail Hail”, with lyrics that directly name-drop the band, make you feel like you’ve known the band your whole life. “Call Back” shows the more poppy side of the band and had the entire crowd singing along.  The closer of the tour, “Pure Mountain Angel”, is one of the best closing songs a band could ask for and they know it. With the four singers in the band congregating together at the front of the stage, the four-part harmonies are front and center over a solitary piano line. The song rises into a final crescendo with the full band rocking out.  A fitting end to a fantastic show. Keep an eye on these guys. They are going places.

Personal note – my good friend, Dr. Matt Edel, from high school has a brother, Joe, the bass player in the band which allowed us the opportunity to hang out with the band before and after the show. Without a doubt, they are some of the nicest guys who are busting their asses every day on the road.  I certainly wish them great success and I have no doubt they will since the quality of their music and live performance is simply top notch.

Truth & Salvage Co.’s self-titled album was just released on Chris Robinson’s Megaforce label and produced by him as well.  Have a listen to the album in the streamer after the jump along with pics and video from the show at Piano’s.

Tim Jones, Joe Edel, and Walker Young of Truth & Salvage Co.

Scott Kinnebrew, Bill “Smitty” Smith, and Tim Jones

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