Tea Leaf Green w. The Hackensaw Boys
12.30.2007 The 8x10 Club Baltimore, MD

Hackensaw Boys       8x10 Club 12.30.2007

Rarely does the opening band fill the house over an hour before the headliner takes the stage.  Yet, on this chilly evening at the 8x10 Club in Baltimore, the bluegrass rebels known as the Hackensaw Boys played to a venue that sold out over an hour before they even took the stage.  As Baby J, Four, Mahlon, the Kooky-Eyed Fox, Salvage and Spits took the stage, everyone in the venue seemed to be ready for the hoe-down.  The energy that the six men created on stage overcame any doubts about how good this opening band truly was.  Shuffling through many traditional numbers including Cissy Strut, the Hackensaw Boys wowed the crowd with their high energy jams.  What got me about this band was the stage presence of all members.  From the first notes played onstage to the end of the set taking place in the middle of the crowd, the Hackensaw Boys never gave the rowdy 8x10 crowd time to catch their breathes.  The foot stomping bluegrass from the Hackensaw Boys was a satisfying treat to start off the night. 

Tea Leaf Green      8x10 Club 12.30.2007

As the lights dimmed in the 8x10, fans scrambled to find a spot in the packed venue.  Although small, the club does have great sound to go along with the intimate setting.  Scotty Rager slowly built up the drums as the band started things off with an explosive Kali-Yuga.  Guitarist Josh Clark has seemed to connect right away with new bassist Reed Mathis.  The two wasted no time on getting things started, trading licks for an extended version of the song.  Many were blown away by the rhythms Mathis and Rager were setting for Clark’s ferocious guitar playing.  Up next came Vote on Tuesday, which brought out every element of what makes this band so unique.  With Garrod taking the crowd through a vocal exploration, the rest of the guys decided not to let things slow down; rather speed it up.  One of the aspects that makes a great songwriter is to be able to shed light, as well as create a feeling of darkness.  That is what surprises me most about Trevor Garrod.  A good amount of Tea Leaf Green songs are happy sing along jams, but in concert they bring out their dark side.  On this night it came first with Stormcloud, a song which was a repeat of the State Theater show two nights earlier.  Garrod’s lyrics really stand out in this song, bringing full imagery to the music.  After an extended jam, the band played crowd pleasing versions of Let Us Go and Precious Stone.  Somewhat of a rarity among TLG setlists, Precious Stone has brought on a new psychedelic sound provided by Garrod and Mathis.  Without missing a step, Garrod picked up the harmonica and dove head on into Incandescent Devil.  With fiery guitar and precise drumming leading the way, Garrod tore apart the crowd with his screaming vocals.   The first set ended with a beautiful version of Drink of Streams, followed by a new tune Slept Through Sunday.
            After spending the first set on the main floor, I decided to check out some of the second set from the balcony.  When trying to get a good look at the band, I would definitely recommend the balcony, although the sound is better on the main level.   Much to the crowds delight, Mathis showed his chops on the opening song, Reservoir.  Piss it Away was a highlight, as Clark and Garrod were being pushed further by every thumping bass line Mathis laid.  Next, came the lengthy classic Ride Together followed by a spacey version of Criminal Intent.  The sound in the 8x10 was far superior to that of the State Theater show two nights prior, especially when listening to this song, which was played both nights.  Not only is this tune full of energy, but with the addition of Mathis it now takes the listeners on a journey through the world known as Tea Leaf Green.  After a beautiful version of Faced with Love, the band closed things out with lively versions of Make a Connection and If it Wasn’t for the Money. 
            The band returned to the stage to a large ovation from a sold out 8x10 Club.  Fittingly, the boys decided to take on a cover of the Beatles song  Hey Bulldog.  A song which fits in well with the style of TLG, featured an electrifying bass solo by Mathis, which seemed to be the theme of the weekend; welcoming the newcomer.

Set 1: Kali-Yuga, Vote on Tuesday, Stormcloud, Let Us Go, Precious Stone, Incandescent Devil, Drink of Streams, Slept Through Sunday
Set 2: Resevoir > Piss it Away, Ride Together, Criminal Intent, Faced with Love > Jam > Make a Connection> If it Wasn’t for the Money
Encore: Hey Bulldog*
*Beatles Cover

           
Like in many cases, when a member leaves a band it will always take some time to get back on track.  For the boys of Tea Leaf Green, that time is over.  Less than two months after the departure of Ben Chambers, the band returned to the East Coast to a run of sold out shows.  Not only was this caused by the addition of the new bassist, Reed Mathis, but by the dedication and resilience of the other three members.  Instead of packing things up and moving on to another project, the members of Tea Leaf Green decided to stay together, entering the unknown with a new member.  For right now, the unknown looks pretty enjoyable.

-Mike Stokes
  99.7 WVYC