The Dexateens

w/ Drive-By Truckers

Saturday, January 12 @ 40 Watt Club

originally published January 9, 2008

In the liner notes of Hardwire Healing, Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers describes the moment he first encountered the music of The Dexateens. Like many people discovering the band for the first time, Hood initially was drawn in by the rowdy energy of The Dexateens' earlier efforts. Their self-titled debut is a unique blend of punk and Southern rock, replete with layered guitars and plenty of energy. Red Dust Rising followed a year later, and found the band slowly refining its sound while retaining remnants of its youthful fervor. That trend continues on Hardwire Healing, which was released early last year.

Hood co-produced the record with fellow local David Barbe. In his liner notes, Hood glowingly refers to the sessions that produced the album as "transcendent." Indeed, the record is the band's best work to date. Occasionally augmenting The Dexateens' traditional guitar onslaught are a beautifully rendered pedal steel guitar and tasteful piano lines. Further, the vocals of Elliott McPherson and John Smith are at the forefront of the recordings. Gone are the raucous ramblings of the band's earlier efforts, replaced instead with soulful swagger and slightly off-kilter harmonies reminiscent of early '70s Rolling Stones. Standout tracks include the tastefully whimsical "Neil Armstrong" and the sparse but emotionally rich acoustic track "Nadine."

When performing live, The Dexateens revert to their high-octane days. McPherson is an endearing and energetic frontman, and his songs come fast and loose. Though The Dexateens perform in Athens fairly regularly, this show at the 40 Watt pairs them with the Truckers [see feature story here] for the third night of that band's three-night stand. On that night, as The Dexateens perform their blistering brand of Southern rock and roll, don't be too surprised to see Hood out in front, tapping his foot and shaking his fist right alongside everybody else in the room.

John Seay