Hi everybody:
I've been asked to put in a good word for the world's finest Old 97's tribute band, the Satellite Riders.
They've been plugging away nearly as long as the 97's, and manage the neat trick of not only looking a bit like the 97's, but sounding remarkably like them too. In fact, if you were to close you eyes at an SR show, you might think you were hearing the Old 97's. There are two big differences: First, the Riders actually rehearse. (And why not? It must take a lot of practice to sound like the Old 97's, right?) And second, the Riders play the types of small little clubs where the Old 97's haven't played in years.
Still, if you've ever wanted to know, or wanted to relive, what it was like to see the 97's back in the day, a Satellite Riders show is a great way to do it. I know, I've seen the Riders play twice, and now they're back together for their first show since 2003. It's August 31 at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle, and if only I could make it myself.
Still, if you make it and have a chance, please say hi to Dave, Derek, and Mike, and N.T. for my would you?
Also, add another Old 97's spin-off band to a list that already includes the Ranchero Brothers
(Murry & Rhett), The Scrap Hotel (Ken & Philip), and the West
Texas Teardrops (Ken, Murry, and Philip). It seems the West Texas
Teardrops have their own side project called
Dadist Dream Believer, and the folks at Spinner.com have the goods.
Cheers,
frank