Butch Walker And The Black Widows “The Spade"

LoJinx, 2011

What is Sacajawea?

• Occasionally a band comes along that does what it says on the tin. With a macho band name such as this and an album entitled “The Spade” you know what you’re going to get before the CD is removed from its sleeve.

• And Butch and the boys (plus girl) don’t disappoint. This album delivers raw, raunchy rock’n’roll with knowing cocky smiles and an arrogant swagger in its step. ‘Bodegas And Blood’ kicks things off with its loud and proud anthemic approach and the rest of the album follows suit. ‘Everysinglebodyelse’ needs to be heard in a small intimate setting with sweat oozing down the walls, and ‘Sucker Punched’ is the true story of when Walker was decked without warning in a club he and the band used to hang out in. Although it did lead to a residency at the venue following the incident; presumably the culprit wasn’t allowed to come along to the shows.

  ‘Summer of 89’ is a nod to Bryan Adams’s hit and tells the story of Walker’s decision to form a band in the late eighties. ‘Day Drunk’ isn’t what it’s title indicates; it’s the story of Walker re-connecting with his father back in his hometown as he battles with illness and the memories and stories thrown up through their reminiscing, all delivered within the bands’ driving forte. So if you like your music with loads of Jack Daniels on the side, this album is for you. You can hear Walker sitting in for Little Steven on his “Underground Garage” radio show here; http://undergroundgarage.com/underground-garage/underground-cafe-featuring-butch-walker.html