Drunken Prayer

Sometimes when I go to live shows I notice that newer bands do not know how to rock. I don't mean distort the hell out of some chords and give a yell, I mean making the guitar fuck your face. This is how Drunken Prayer rocks. Classicaly trained Miss Audra on the keys and Morgan Saint Christopher rockin' the guitar. Blues roots rock I guess, but to me I re-imagine a man selling his soul at the crossroads for the magic of rock n roll. I don't get excited by new bands very often, but drunken prayer is saving rock n roll. Real rock n roll. Morgan Saint Christopher has such a powerful stage performance that it surprises me that he's so nice and soft spoken off stage; always meaning well and wishing the best to others. Miss Audra is the kind of girl you want to grow old with before even meeting her, and steals your heart with some dynamite keyboard work. 

I mean it when I say this band rocks. They have the blues, man, and it's mixed with that eerie southern gospel and soul. Christopher can really play the guitar. Between well written songs and taking the lead, he floods the venue with early '70s arena rock worthy guitar. Audra accompanies with some Duane Allman style keys with her own jazzy flair. These are songs about God and alcohol and redemption. Sometimes, in the songs, the redemption never comes. Faulkner meets Lynard Skynard. 

The only downfall is where to peg this band. I was watching them at the White Eagle which is home to mostly roots rock and old timey music. A lot of banjos. The band that was playing when I walked in was a Irish folk/rock band North Twin that included flute and accordion. I'm not going to lie - not a good match. Could they play with Supersuckers? No, it doesn't seem right either. Their sound is blues, but I don't see them playing the Blues circuit. They don't do the Zen Guerella or Gun Club mix, but they rock pretty hard. What is it? It's the soul. This band is playing with a lot of soul.

See them at their CD release party at the Doug Fir March 20th at 9pm with Gabe Hascall and the band Lotus Isle. I'll be there feeling the Rock my parents tell me I missed.