Big John Bates Grindshow – The Iron Outlaws – at B Ryders – Bakersfield, CA

Last Saturday evening, Canadian band, The Big John Bates Grindshow made their way through Bakersfield as part of their North American Tour. B Ryder's Bar in Bakersfield hosted a spectacular of a night. As I walked in the door, I instantly melted from the cool bluesy sound of Brandy Bones' vocals as she plucked at her bass and warmed up her voice for the show. In a moment, I could feel the excitementgrow for the night's festivities that were about to be under way.

Bakersfield locals, The Iron Outlaws, supported The Grindshow by drawing a crowd of loyal fans, and opening up the evening. As always The Iron Outlaws captivated the audience, getting them roaring and ready for the spectacle that would be following their set. They played a full 45 minutes and included old school favorites such as "Guitars and Guns" and "Southside", and some of their new material, such as, "30 Days" and "Bad Man". The whole bar sang along throughout their set, swaying drunkenly with beer glasses in hand.

Soon after The Iron Outlaws left the stage, Big John Bates, Brandy Bones Anderson, and Orian Case replaced them, opening up with the song "Battered Bones". A couple of songs into the set, John Bates encouraged the crowd to get out of their seats and come closer to the stage. As he did so, two women their way up and staged a knife fight, slapping each other and  ripping one another's clothes off. All the while the band played as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. The reaction from the audience was a bit different. And those who may not have been paying attention, definitely had their eyes fixed on the stage at this point. Throughout the set Calamity Kate and  Lincoln Electra performed skits on stage including anything from grinders to fire tassels swinging from pasties. These ladies did a great job making the show unique and colorful. However the band had plenty of charisma and were thoroughly entertaining to watch as well. 

Big John Bates Grindshow are not your typical psycho-billy band. They are a bit darker. Goth-Punk, Rockabilly, with a dash of Blues all rolled into one delicious package. John and Brandy vibed perfectly together with the raw energy of their voices and strings, Brandi Bones stood on her bass, effortlessly playing along to the song at times, as Orian kept the beats rolling on percussion. They covered Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" and Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law". As their set rolled to an end, the crowd cried for an encore. The band obliged by playing "Father's Grave" and the best version of "Rawhide" ever!
If The Big John Bates Grindshow blows through your neighborhood be sure to catch them. They are quite a Spectacle to be seen!

-Jessica M.
Staff photographer / Journalist

 

 

 

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

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