On: November 1 at 05:02 PM
All Gallows Eve is one of the reasons why it’s great to be a local music fan in Stockton. Held for the first time last year, the Halloween show features eclectic acoustic group The Gallows playing beer-fueled singalongs for family and friends at the Blackwater Café.
It was like a family party with a band that plays alternative drinking songs and pirate chanteys.
This year’s All Gallows Eve was no different, even though the band has since changed its name to The Outlaw Dance Society. The Blackwater was packed Oct. 31 with about 50 family and friends eager to see the group play its first hometown show in months. Their familiarity with each other created a fun, laid-back atmosphere in which nobody was afraid to dance and join in with the chorus.
The evening started on a high note with Sacramento’s Indian Valley Line. The band members said it was their first-ever show together. If that’s true, they’re certainly worth following in the future. Indian Valley Line plays a blend of bluegrass, old-time music and indie acoustic that should only get better as it develops.
Next on the bill was the Can Kickers from New London, Conn. The band’s uptempo bluegrass is grounded in a thumping bass drum that adds a great aggressive edge to their old-time music. It gave a huge boost to the energy level in the sweaty café.
At about 10 p.m. I took the mic to introduce the Outlaw Dance Society. Needless to say, I’m a much better writer than a speaker. If you were there, please note that the Dec. 22 bluegrass and old-time show is at Fat’s Grill – not the Blackwater as I stated – and that the Second String Quintet also will be playing in November at Rasputin Music.
Fortunately, the ODS was much better than I on stage. The band showed no signs of rust despite its long layoff, playing a rollicking set that opened with the in-your-face aggression of “Nobody’s Beloved Son” (chorus “he is loved by no-one / he’s nobody’s beloved son / he’s staring down the barrel of a gun”) and peaked with “The Drinking Song,” a singalong kiss-off to the straight-edge lifestyle.
When the set was over and lead singer DBC had put away his accordion the fans still refused to leave, staying around to chat and visit with friends. It provided a great nightcap to another fun All Gallows Eve.
Here is video from the show of the Outlaw Dance Society (Note: it's very, very dark inside the Blackwater) along with more photos from the show, most of which were taken by Middagh Goodwin:
Indian Valley Line
The Can Kickers
The Outlaw Dance Society
ODS mandolin player Chicago with friends
Fans packed the Blackwater for the show
Musician and visual artist Snap Jackson supports 209Vibe
Finally, my own Snap Jackson portrait
Comments
All Gallows Eve and events like this are the reason I keep doing shows. A nice mix of good time music that can and was enjoyed by all. Each band brought something different to the mix but flowed well from one to the next. In a grand gesture the local bands gave their cut of the door to the Can Kickers (helping ensure they make it back home to Connecticut and that they will want to return.) No barriers were laid down at All Gallows Eve costumed or not, young or old, everyone is family and we were all there to have a rollicking good time