The Soul of Pave Guard
March 3, 2010
Here at Pave Guard Technologies, we are noticeably professional while at work. We place great importance on looking, as well as acting in a professional manner. However last night, March 2nd, a few of us decided to meet at a BBQ restaurant called BB’s BBQ and listen to some live Blues entertainment from Trampled Under Foot (TUF). It was an exhilarating experience to say the least. On usual nights, this small,southern-looking BBQ joint is nothing but a landmark on the side of the road. Come Tuesday night, everything changes.
On the drive to the restaurant, my expectations are neither high nor low; just looking forward to listening to some live music and hanging out with the guys from work. We pull into the small parking lot and an hour before showtime; the place is packed. We park at the back of the small lot and walk the seventy yards or so to the front door. First surprise of the night… $4 cover. Although this somehow never came to mind beforehand, we happily pay and find our seats with those already there.
Once inside, I’m hit with an overwhelming sense of pride that the owners have of BBQ, Blues, and southern culture. Famous Blues musicians are wonderfully painted on the wall, neon beer signs decorate the bar, the tables are covered in red, checkered tablecloths and are packed as closely together as possible while still allowing some comfort. This. Place. Smells. AMAZING. From the outside the restaurant looks like what you would think of a typical, rural BBQ restaurant, but the inside makes you feel that you have been transported through time to a turn of the 19th century BBQ place (with a few modern updates).
After talking for a while and having a few cold-ones, some of the guys decide to order some food: burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, skillet or regular fries… oh yeah, and don’t forget about the smoked wings. When it seems that we could stand our anticipation no longer, out it comes… in massive portions. I kid you not when I say that the sandwich is as large as my face. … But I feel that something is missing; something I can’t quite put my finger on… Then I hear the kick of the bass drum.
At first sight, these guys are not much to look at. 2 guys and a girl- all family, and two of the three were lefties. The 2 brothers are on Guitar and Drums, and the girl is on the bass. One of the guys with us reminds me that I was in for a treat, and nothing could have prepared me for the tunes that these guys are about to lay down. They play songs from many famous blues guitarists, including Muddy Waters and showcase many songs of their own. From someone who plays, this guy can shred the electric. Not only does he look a bit like him, but this guitarist could put John Mayer to shame. Later on in the show, it is revealed that the guitarist was named the metro’s most promising guitarist in 2009… pretty impressive if you ask me.
The drummer throws down beats that make me tired just watching him, and with a 7 piece kit no-less. After the first set, he lays out a seven minute solo that has both blistering and crawling tempos. His single-kick drum sounds like a double at times, and he never even breaks a sweat. This guy is good.
Now the girl; she is the one that really blows me away. Okay, they all sing; even the drummer, but this girl can walk a blues lick in her sleep… and do it while singing. This woman had some soul, I tell you what. You can tell she felt the song through what she sings and what she plays. She has a great range and a wonderful tone, and she is really fun to watch, as are both of the other band members.
After the show, I feel an overwhelming urge to listen to all of my Buddy Guy albums… I wonder why. If you are ever in the Kansas City metro area on a Tuesday night, you need to come hear these guys. The whole group of us were blown away and speechless. If I could sum up their performance in one word, it would have to be “LEGIT.”
