Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band delivers big damn good show at Indy’s Hi-Fi Annex
By: Kevin Vickery
I first became aware of this group over twenty years ago when I lived in Knightstown and started noticing paper fliers all over town for a show at the town square featuring Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. I had never heard of them and knew nothing about their style but I did know that, especially since I could walk there from my house, I had to check it out.
When I got there, I literally laughed out loud seeing that the Big Damn Band was only three people – a lumber jack looking guitarist, a sort of hippie drummer, and an eclectically dressed gal with horn rimmed glasses on the washboard. I knew before they played their first note that they were going to be right up my alley.
They definitely were and while they might not have been big on personnel, they were for sure BIG on sound. That show was heavy on material from their first and now out of print album, “The Pork ‘n’ Beans Collection” which features crowd favorites like, “Plainfield Blues” and, “Pork Chop Biscuit”. I bought a copy from them that night and wore it out.
Since then, The Big Damn Band has gone on to record and release ten albums and one EP, most of which have charted highly on the Billboard and iTunes Charts. They also stay busy on the road, touring heavily and playing as many as 250 shows per year with appearances from bars to major music festivals all over the US, Canada and Europe. They’ve worked with major mainstream artists like John Mellencamp, ZZ Top, The Derek Trucks Band, Susan Tedeschi, and had their music featured on the hit TV show, “Shameless”. Their success with their popular song, “Cousin on Cops” even landed them an appearance as the house band on a Jerry Springer Pay Per View special.
Eagletown native, Josh, “The Reverend” Peyton’s finger picking style guitar playing is some of the finest you’ll hear in the modern era. He grew up studying legendary blues guitarists like B.B. King and Muddy Waters and eventually studied the works of pre WWII county-blues artists like Charlie Patton to develop his unique style of carrying the bass line with his thumb while playing the melody on the higher strings with his fingers.
In high school, The Rev suffered a hand injury that left him incapable of playing guitar for over a year but after a surgery at Indiana Hand Center, he was able to master the the finger and slide style he’d been searching to perfect.
When complimented with the rhythms of his wife “Washboard Breezy” Peyton, it feels like a trip back in time to a front porch in the Mississippi Delta but with a modern day punch and hometown Hoosier feel. Her background vocals compliment the particular tone and pitch of his lead vocals in a way that allows the couple to co-front the band with a unique sound and look that keeps the crowd on their feet the whole night.
The Big Damn Band has gone through a handful of line-up changes over the years in the drummer position. They’ve currently landed on “Brother Jacob” Powell who does an excellent job of holding down the back beat for the power trio.
The show at Indy’s Hi-Fi Annex on August 31st was excellent and opened with The Stampede String Band. This Moonsville, IN based roots music style group founded by Aaron Nicely and John Bahler has over the last decade, earned a reputation for hard hitting acoustic performances, thoughtful lyrics and powerhouse vocal harmonies. They were a perfect complement to the evening and had the crowd primed and ready for the headliner.
By the time The Big Damn Band took the stage, the weather was great and the temperature was perfect for an outdoor show. The band captivated the crowd from the moment they hit the stage opening with, “My Old Man Boogie”, followed by, “Poor Until Payday” which is one of my favorites. They went on to include other crowd favorites like, “Pot Roast & Kisses” and one of their most popular tunes, “Clap Your Hands”.
I’ve written before about The Hi-Fi venue located in Fountain Square which is an excellent sounding room whose attached restaurant called, “Easy Riders” serves some of the most delicious food around but this show was at their Annex which is an outdoor venue located behind the building. It too is a great place to see a show and the Reverend Peyton said from stage that it was, “His favorite place to play in Indy”.
I spoke with Big Damn super-fan, Ben Dorsey from Cincinnati, OH who has been traveling regularly anywhere within a three hour radius of his home town to see the Rev 40 plus times over the years and he said, “Every time I see this band, it’s better than the last.” He added, “They’re awesome and genuinely good people, and they kill it every time they’re on stage.”
Personally, my musical paths have only crossed with Reverend Peyton’s big Damn Band about five times over the years but I do most certainly agree with Ben. They’re a great sounding, highly talented, fun and energetic band to experience live and every time is better than the last. If you ever get a chance to check out their show, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
To keep up with the touring schedule or purchase merchandise from The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, you can find them on all social media outlets or visit their official website at bigdamnband.com
For more information about The Stampede String Band, find the on Facebook, YouTube or visit ubhpresents.com/stampede
To see what’s happening at Hi-Fi or the Annex, you can follow them on social media or go to hifiindy.com
Make Some Noise 