By Eleni P. Austin
Pappy & Harriet’s has a lot happening on Friday, September 15. Son Volt will hit the outdoor stage. Meanwhile, inside, they’re featuring Texas trio Night Drive.
Led by Jay Farrar, Son Volt has been a going concern for nearly 30 years, rising from the ashes of alt.country/Americana (whatever) progenitors, Uncle Tupelo. Since the release of their 1995 debut, Trace, the band has mined a sound that was a potent combo-platter of Country, Folk, Bluegrass and Rock. The band first played Pappy’s back in 2017.
Their latest album, (their 11th, for those keeping track), is Day Of The Doug. It pays loving homage to Jay’s late compadre, Doug Sahm. The Texas troubadour had a rich and rewarding career beginning in the late ‘60s with his British Invasion/Tex-Mex flavored band, Sir Douglas Quintet, who stormed the charts with their South Of The Border charmer, “Mendocino.” A critically-acclaimed solo career followed (he counted Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia as early admirers) and by the ‘90s he was de facto leader of the Lone Star super group, The Texas Tornados, which featured Freddy Fender, Augie Myers and Flaco Jimenez. …Doug mixes Sahm songs from all eras of his career and has earned critical raves.
Night Drive is a Texas three-piece featuring Rodney Connell, Brandon Duhon and Nick Dudek. Their hypnotic blend of Synth-Rock is wholly influenced by Sci-Fi and cinema. They have released a series of well-received EPs over the last decade. They’ve also shared stages like Chvrches, Crystal Castles, The Psychedelic Furs and Ladytron. (Doors open for Son Volt at 6:00pm, show is at 7:30pm. Doors open for Night Drive at 8:30pm, show at 9:30) For ticket information go to: pappyandharriets.com. 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown.
