The Hackensaw Boys entertain the Masses at Preservation Pub in Knoxville, Tenn. on New Year's Eve.
The Hackensaw Boys on stage during New Year's Eve at Preservation Pub in Knoxville, Tenn.
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Perkasie opened for The Hackensaw Boys at Preservation Pub in Knoxville, Tenn. on New Year's Eve
Perkasie entertains the crowd at Preservation Pub in Knoxville, Tenn. on New Year's Eve
Photo’s courtesy Jennifer Hermance
It has been quite a while since I stepped outside the front door to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and this year was looking to be more of the same.
That changed when a close friend of mine convinced me I had to break the chains of New Year’s monotony and head to Knoxville, Tenn., to see the Hackensaw Boys. I had heard of the band and even watched a couple of rough YouTube videos, but other than that, I really knew very little about the group. I knew they had a loyal following out east, and from their videos, plenty of energy to burn.
Knoxville was ready to ring in the New Year. The Market Square district, located downtown, had a carnival-like feel. A huge stage was erected at one end of the square and featured a constant flow of entertainment. The middle contained an ice rink with couples gliding in the New Year. At the opposite end, food vendors and hucksters rounded out the holiday landscape.
But the real attractions came later, when a variety of bands brought in the New year at the several small restaurants and pubs that make up the square.
The Hackensaw Boys were performing at the Preservation Pub. It’s not a very large place, but what it lacks in size, it makes up in character, charm and hospitality.
The boys were scheduled to play at 10 p.m., and were preceded on stage by a young group from Pennsylvania called Perkasie. Perkasie is a small and exciting group that describes its show as “old timey music for you young folk”. I really didn’t know what to expect, and was honestly hoping they would not be on stage too long, because I was there to see the Hackensaw Boys.
I will apologize now for even thinking that, and am so glad to have crossed paths with Perkasie. This little group really blew me away with its tight vocals, harmonies and accomplished musicianship. In essence, this was a small group instrumentally (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard) with a huge sound. The biggest treat was Kate Foust at lead vocals. Imagine a short-haired, shy girl in a red and black dress who didn’t even look old enough to be in a bar. Before the music started, I was wondering if she was even part of the band. Well, WITH the band she was.
Foust won the crowd’s enthusiasm with inventive phrasing and explosive lead vocals. What made her vocals stand out even more were the harmonies behind her. The guys in Perkasie can sing, too. They left me wanting to hear more and looking forward to hearing their self-titled album, Perkasie. Watch for these guys (and gal). They have a unique and high-energy sound that will please “you young folks” and old folks alike.
Needless to say, Perkasie had the crowd thoroughly warmed up for the Hackensaw Boys.
The Hackensaw Boys took the stage and brought the house down. Hackensaw has a unique style of old time, young folksy music that you cannot help but dance to it. This is not a polished group, but rather a group that just plain has fun playing the music they love.
The vocals come from some archaic place remniscent of Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers or The Fruit Jar Drinkers of yesteryear. It is impossible to have a bad time listening to the Hackensaw Boys. Their banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass, thrown in with some homemade percussion instruments, meld into a unique and intoxicating music that is almost hypnotic.
I now understand why the Hackensaw Boys have an almost cult-like following out east. The performance they give is non-stop fun for band and audience alike. I have rarely left a show feeling more taken in by the music. If you get the chance, go see the Hackensaw Boys; you won’t regret it.
The Hackensaw Boys have an album out, called Look Out, and look out you will. I dare you not to tap your toes to this one. All said, if you really want to experience the Hackensaw Boys’ phenomenon, go see them live, and be ready to be worn out by the energy these guy bring to the stage.
In addition to their website, the Hackensaw Boys have a presence on MySpace at
www.myspace.com/hackensawboys