A rockabilly duo’s take on the traditional Halloween party
Metropolitan Richmond is the last place you’d expect to find a Halloween Hoedown, but that is exactly what the Virginia-based rockabilly group brought to the packed club.
Mark Robinson
Staff Writer
What do a Na’vi, a Blues Brother, Dorothy, and the Burger King all have in common? They all found themselves at The Camel Club on Saturday night dancing to the backwoods bluegrass of Jackass Flats.
Metropolitan Richmond is the last place you’d expect to find a Halloween Hoedown, but that is exactly what the Virginia-based rockabilly group brought to the packed club.
The Camel – like its patrons – was decked out in Halloween attire, with spiderwebs, skeletons, ghosts and ghouls scattered throughout the venue on the eve of the holiday.
Jackass Flats is the lovechild of guitarist Stephen Kuester and banjo player Travis Rhinehart, who have played together since they were teenagers. The two share the role of lead vocals and their vocal harmonies add a unique element to the group.
Jackass Flats has received honors in 2002 as Virginia State Champion Bluegrass Band, in 2003 for Best Country/Bluegrass band from Richmond.com, and in 2004 a Virginia music award for Americana/Jamband of the Year. They’ve played shows up and down the east coast and are regulars at numerous festivals.
It didn’t take them long to get the crowd on their feet. By their third song, “Standing Next to You,” half of the crowd was engaged in the sort of Camel-typical jig, making it clear that the event would live up to its name.
“This is a lot more exciting than the wedding we played earlier,” Rhinehart said, pleasing the crowd even further. The revelry intensified as the set drew on.
“Miss Me When I’m Gone” was a high point in the show. Rhinehart’s banjo playing spun the crowd into a full on frenzy. Keyboard player Cory Potrafka switched to harmonica and soloed charismatically with drummer Scott Lewis backing.
One of Jackass Flat’s recently recorded songs, “The Truth About Love,” added a country flavor to the performance. The rhythm of the vocals in the chorus was similar to that of Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Come Up)” and equally as entertaining.
“Rusty Feeling,” a song written by Rhinehart, slowed down the group’s frantic pace momentarily. The crowd took a break while the group slipped into a half-time groove dissimilar to any other point in their show. “Sweet Eddie” Carlton plopped out notes on bass fiddle while the crowd nodded along.
Jackass Flats brought good vibes and solid music to The Camel on Saturday night. Their infectious style gave this urban audience a taste of how the backwood country parties on Halloween weekend.
For more information on Jackass Flats, visit their official website www.jackass-flats.com or www.myspace.com/jackassflatsband.
For more information about events at The Camel Club, visit www.thecamel.org.