Don’t Call It A Comeback

Southern Bitch Is On The Mend And Back To Business

originally published February 14, 2007

It’s tempting to make reference to Sir Elton’s “The Bitch Is Back” when acknowledging the return of Athens-based full-throttle rock act Southern Bitch, but that would just be too easy. Just watch other publications - 10 bucks says you'll see that headline soon. For the last several months, the future of the local band and one of its founders was uncertain. Vocalist-guitarist Wendy Musick learned while undergoing appendectomy surgery early last year that there was a tumor that needed to be removed from her pancreas as soon as possible.

The band’s friends and fellow musicians came to her aid by participating in a series of benefit shows and auctions organized under the collective banner of “Musickfest” throughout October of 2006. Musick underwent successful surgery to remove the benign growth, while Southern Bitch took an indefinite hiatus. Currently, things are looking up for Wendy, who, along with her bandmates, is intent on getting back to business as usual.

“It was a really scary time for everyone involved, especially for Wendy,” says husband and Southern Bitch frontman Adam Musick. “We’re really thankful to the whole Athens music community that came together to help us out. We’ve been really taken care of and are very grateful to all of our friends and even people we don’t know who helped out. Wendy is doing good; we went to the doctor for a follow-up checkup in January and so far, so good.”

With all the chaos that’s appeared at Southern Bitch’s doorstep as of late, the band's most recent recording, Strong Medicine, should not fall by the wayside. The group had already recorded and released the album when Musick learned of her condition and didn’t really have a chance to play any local shows or do any touring to support its release. A departure from the politically-charged song cycle of the preceding Snake In the Grass, Strong Medicine picks up where Southern Bitch left off previously with 2002’s album Thunderbolt - a stew of gnarly, gritty guitars, arena-ready drums and Southern rock spirit to spare. No serious social commentary this time, just songs like “Get Ready” and “Fire Road Ninety,” which extol the simple euphoria of cranking up the amps and just flat rockin’ out - something that has, over time, become the band’s virtual saving grace.

“When we went in to make Snake In the Grass, we wanted to do a darker kind of rock record than we’d done before,” says Adam. “We’d already named the new album Strong Medicine before any of the medical stuff happened, so that was really just a coincidence. We didn’t set out to tackle any heavy lyrics or content this time around.”

“This is just a fun rock record,” adds Wendy. “It was fun to make; the songs are great fun to play and, with any luck, people will also think it’s a lot of fun to listen to.”

Since Southern Bitch last made the rounds locally, the band has also added new drummer Taylor Sproull of Little Country Giants to the fold in the position previously manned by Chris Ellenburg. Adam says that he, Wendy and the rest of the band are taking things one step at a time and that all are anxious to start shaping up a batch of new material.

“After we found out about all the medical stuff, there was a long break between then and now,” says Wendy. “I think we’ve only done about three or four shows during that time, so this upcoming CD release show will pretty much be Taylor’s official debut with us.”

“Chris had some things he wanted to work on and so did I, so it wasn’t a big falling out with him leaving or anything,” Adam recollects. “Everything’s totally friendly on that end. Chuck Bradburn is still with us on the bass. Taylor is our new guy and he’s working out awesome. Everything’s coming back together really well. Right now we’re doing a lot of rehearsing, getting back into shape, and it’s sounding good. We’re looking forward to rockin’ out a whole bunch more and pretty much just kickin’ ass.”

Wendy does have, like any musician who must obtain professional medical services, one serious bitch of a hospital bill to consider. The Musickfest shows, Adam reports, helped to make a big dent in what’s owed, but donations can still be made by checks payable to Southern Bitch at: Southern Bitch c/o Jenn Bryant, P.O. Box 667, Athens, GA 30606. Though early medical attention did help to mend Wendy before things got too serious, a post on Southern Bitch’s MySpace page pretty much encapsulates the situation from the band’s perspective: “Musicians Rock: American Healthcare System SUCKS!”

Michael Andrews

WHO: Southern Bitch, Mother Jackson, Still, Small Voice & the Joyful Noise
WHERE: Caledonia Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, February 17
HOW MUCH: $5