THE DEAD SOUTH / HENRY WAGONS LIVE AT COLLEGE STREET

By Ralph Beauchamp

The Dead South brought their “Chains & Stakes World Tour” to College Street Music Hall in New Haven with the hilarious Henry Wagons as direct support.

On Thursday 10/24, my business partner Scott and I travelled to New Haven to see one of our favorite bands, The Dead South. We last saw them a few years ago in Boston at the House of Blues and it was a glorious event. This evening started off with dinner at Bar which also happens to be a favorite of both of ours. After pizza and a few beers off we went to another favorite haunt, College Street Music Hall. That’s a whole lot of favorites.

Opening act Henry Wagons is a Australian singer/songwriter, television personality, radio host and part time crazy. He also fronted an outlaw country/rock band called Wagons. As a solo artist, Wagons has released four full lengths with The Four Seasons (Cheatin’ Hearts Records) being the latest. Wagons has also been nominated for several music awards. He has won an AIR Award (2017), been nominated for several Music Victoria Awards and is in the running for Best Country Album for The Four Seasons at the Aria Awards being held later this month.

Photos Ralph Beauchamp

This night, one thing was certain. Henry Wagons has an odd kind of charisma. His rapport with the audience was amazing. After, and even during, each song, he would attach himself to the audience with a funny story about himself or his life. He constantly selected an audience member to join in on the fun. for example, before performing his song, “Freight Train (Going South)”, he snatched Arthur out of the crowd and had him blow into a train whistle which the house loved. He also picked on another person in the pit and kept needling him in a entertaining manner about hankering for his sister while playing “Keep Your Eyes Off My Sister”

Wagons’ entire set was this kind of amusing banter. His stories were entertaining and his songs had a campy edge. “Love Me Like I Love You” (a Wagons cover), “Big City Blues” and “Friends Of Mine” were well received. He closed out with another Wagons cover “Willie Nelson”. On a whole, Henry Wagons was the perfect opener for The Dead South. He definitely kept the room captivated.

The Dead South is a four piece folk/bluegrass ensemble out of Saskatchewan, Canada. We have been following the band for quite a while with multiple features in AMP. The band sound is full of lovely lilts and emotive melodies. They also love to spin a story with their imaginative lyrics. The listener is easily immersed in their tales of dark comedy and satirical content. Many of their songs have an evil twist yet the rhythms are so spirited that one just goes along with the flow.

The band is comprised of Nate Hilts (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Pringle (Mandolin/Guitar/Vocals), Danny Kenyon (Cello/Vocals) and Colton Crawford (Banjo). The Dead South have released four studio album with the lastest being Chains & Stakes (Six Shooter Records) this year. In addition the band has 4 EPs and a live full length under their belts.

As soon as The Dead South hit the stage, the audience’s excitement grew. These were seasoned fans that practically sang each song, word for word. The entire set was heavily influenced by their 2014 Good Company album and their latest Chains & Stakes.

Photos Ralph Beauchamp

“Blood On The Mind” started the ball rolling and the throng was already into the groove. Hilts gruff vocals filled the house with smooth honey while their harmonies were superb. Colton’s banjo strummed with addictive delight. Pringle’s mandolin flared with fearless beauty and Kenyon’s cello was gutsy. Up next was “Yours To Keep”, also off Chains. The vibe was getting better and better. Good Company‘s “The Recap” followed and the audience was in aural heaven. The picking was fast and furious.

“Travellin’ Man”, “Boots” (off 2016’s Illusion & Doubt) and “Black Lung” (off 2019’s Sugar & Joy) delivered more captivating punches. All in all, The Dead South powered through 16 songs in their main set. “The Dead South”, “Diamond Ring” and “Completely, Sweetly” were definitely fan favorites. The Dead South closed out strong with three songs from Good Company. “That Bastard Son” came first and College Street was a swaying. They continued with their monster hit, “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company”. Everyone was singing along. “Honey You” closed it out. The encore featured two more Good Company compositions. “Broken Cowboy” and “Banjo Odyssey” left the audience in an elevated bliss.

The Dead South came to play and totally slayed the night. I highly recommend you check them out. Buy their records but more importantly go see them live. You will be easily converted.

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