Old Crows gather round the dubtable

"Yeeeeeeeeeeeah haaa!" was the cry from the good ol' boys (never meanin' no harm) as they jumped over a ravine and got away from a dust covered Rosco Coltrane and Flash. In 1982 the Dukes of Hazzard was as pure as Americana got for me, right down to the pub where the bluegrass and country bands twanged away while the boys tried to take Daisy on at the pool table.

That level of good ol' U.S of A is in our town on Friday at the Founders Theatre, when the Old Crow Medicine Show take the stage.

Their list of previous appearances reads like an old 90s episode of Entertainment Tonight, playing on talk shows like Conan O'Brien (when he had one) the Macy's Thanks Giving Parade in New York and the Americana Honors and Awards Show (such an honour I'm sure).

Having played with Gillian Welch on the Oh Brother! Where Art Thou soundtrack, after watching that movie serve up a hick stereo type - even if it was played by George Clooney - made me wonder if that was just an exaggerated story of that scene.

These boys change all that. They're young good-looking dudes making violins sexy. Ladies across the land swoon and many credit them for reviving the genre from Uncle Jessie's wireless in the run down garage to packed theatres in 2010.

Like Mana Maoli they've come a long way to be here, so I guess they can justify the $65 ticket price to cover their airfare.

Back when Bow and Luke Duke ruled the telly, the strap was also legal at school. Bad kids would tell of stories of putting exercise books down their pants to soften the blow. Well baddies, you may need to do that again this Friday night. Except on your thigh. The right one (if you're right handed) will get a good slapping from your own hand as you yelp and yeeha to what they describe as 'fast & furious bluegrass for folk lovers, hipsters and country fans prepared to get down in a whole new way once these five boys from Nashville take to the stage.' Ouch!

Norah Jones is a big fan, and they used to open up for Dolly Parton, I'll bet that was fun.

It's on the back of their current DVD release 'Live at the Orange Peel' and the glowing reception they got on their last tour here that Old Crow Medicine Show return to New Zealand. Yay.

And if that doesn't get you on your feet then pop along to Flow bar afterwards, for just a tenner you can catch up and coming electronica act Aum with Knights of the Dubtable, who have an EP called Tronic coming out April 6. After performing at the Hamilton Gardens Arts fest and Uni's Orientation recently, these guys are well recommended!

Do it for Boss Hogg.

For more information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRX4mlFi06A

http://www.crowmedicine.com/tour.php

http://www.myspace.com/knightsofthedubtable

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