BLACKTOP MOJO/TEN TON MOJO – OFF THE RAILS
By Rick Fleck
Texas bred Blacktop Mojo and NYC stalwarts Ten Ton Mojo play amazing sets in Worcester, Ma.
July 28, 2023: It was the Off The Rails Music Venue in Worcester, Ma. but it could have been Montgomery, Alabama or Memphis, Tennessee. It was a hot night, the doors to the patio were wide open, and the joint was jumping. There were Bubbas and Bubbettes everywhere, and it was a sea of tattoos, denim and Daisy Dukes. The only thing giving it away that you were north of the Mason Dixon line were the ubiquitous Narragansett tall boys in everybody’s hands. And to top it all off, on the restaurant side, you could order yourself a BBQ plater with pickled okra and cornbread, just like gramma used to make.
It was a perfect atmosphere for a night of “mojo.” Mojo is defined as a “magic charm, talisman or spell.” And there was definitely a spell over the packed crowd as Ten Ton Mojo and Blacktop Mojo both brought their unique blends of southern, hard, and blues rock, with a generous dose of voodoo added to the mix. And they brought it loud!
New York rockers, Ten Ton Mojo took the stage first with their song ‘Karmalita”, like they were the headliners at the venerable Boston Garden and it was 1976. They started off with the pedal to the metal and they didn’t let up ‘til they played their last note. The set included audience favorites, “High Forever”, and “Little Somethin”. Lean and mean and sporting a beat-up ol’ bootleggers fedora, guitarist Scott Lano traded licks with fellow guitarist Christian Realmuto, who held down the left side of the stage with bombastic fretwork of his own.
Photos Rick Fleck
Drummer Paul “Sugar” Kane and bassist Kenny Madden provided the backbone to this southern rock juggernaut. You knew lead singer Dave Anthony was going to ditch his shirt the minute you saw him, and that he did, as he twisted and cavorted like he was channeling the spirit of a young Jim “Dandy” Mangrum of Black Oak Arkansas. The band finished with “Broke Some Hearts in Memphis”. It was hard to say it was an encore, as they played the entire set with the same energy as an encore. As they left the stage, all knew, the gauntlet had been thrown for Blacktop Mojo.
As well received as Ten Ton Mojo was, it was quite clear many in the crowd had come for Palestine Texas’s own Blacktop Mojo. The already packed room bulged at its seams as people came in from the patio, the restaurant bar, and late arrivals passed through the back door. Blacktop Mojo hit the stage like they had nuthin’ to prove to anyone. The stage was theirs and they were going to own it for the next 90 minutes.
They kicked things off with “Burn the Ships” and the crowd responded as one, beers in the air, singing along to every word. Outta Texas, the band consists of lead singer Matt James, drummer Nathan Gillis, bassist Matt Curtis, rhythm/lead guitarist Malcolm Booher, lead/rhythm guitarist Chuck Wepfer. And when James picked up the guitar, you had yourself a classic three guitar army. “Bed Tundy”, new song “Born To Lose” and “Wicked Woman” were a few of the songs that held the audience in awe.
Photos Rick Fleck
As the night went on, nobody was seen heading toward the door. This kind of music, played by two bands of true and authentic professionals, doesn’t come to New England often enough and the fans were drinking it up. Matt James was even generous enough to wear a Worcester Railers hockey jersey throughout the entire show. I hope he doesn’t have to buy one of those in every city Blacktop Mojo plays in! His singing, playing, and welcoming personality endeared him to the happy crowd.
I think there’s a real hunger here in New England for this brand of southern fried, hard blues, rock ‘n’ roll – that Muscle Shoals sound, with a modern twist and some fresh elements thrown in for spice, adding a new flavor to this tried and true, and red, white and blue gumbo, while all the time, keeping it real. Come back anytime guys! We’ll leave the welcome mat out and the porch light on.
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