Two bands that are new to the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt provide some entertainment value this that is truly original, making them an easy pick for this weekend.
The Church of Cash on Friday night features a vibe that’s true to being an accurate, down-to-the-detail Johnny Cash tribute band, complete with cover art of a frontman with hands folded in prayer. They go on to say they’re more than simply a “country” band.
Then on Saturday night, its Wicked Sensations, formed in mid-2012 and featuring members of venerable groups such as Austin Healy, The Pearl (which also is known for being the formerly Phat Pearl), Loose Cannon, Bad Jack and Jaded, “Just to name a few,” according to its web site.
Wicked Sensations is fronted in part by someone you might have seen before at the Willow, the gorgeous female singer from Loose Cannon. The band members have a grungy, hard-edged appeal to their look, even though they emphasize the presence of party rock in their set list. They say they provide songs about that “perfect kegger” of peoples’ youth and as advertised consist of: Dionne Yochim, lead vocals and party planner; Tom Holt, lead vocals, guitar and whiskey distiller; Gary Williamson, guitar and brewer; Matt Whaley, bass and bartender; and George Ford, drummer and yes, keg tapper.
The songs are both old and new, and these are the groups that are on their play list more than once: Lita Ford, Alice In Chains, Motley Crue, Gun’s ‘N’ Roses, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Scorpions, KISS, Journey, Maroon 5 and Collective Soul. Others noteworthy for being not-quite Top 40, Dokken, Jackyl, Warrant, Tesla, Finger Eleven, Dio and The Donnas. And, of course, there is the signature song of sorts, Wicked Sensation by Lynch Mob.
Church of Cash was formed, by former Minnesotan Jay Kalk who later moved back here, in Hawaii in 2010. They say they have an uncanny grasp of the Man in Black’s catalog and have spread his gospel with youthful spirit on three different continents, with baritone that “sings like a prairie breeze and stomps like a boot heel.”
Diverse offerings, no doubt, and worthy of them both being checked out on the same weekend.