Lately, I've been thinking of putting together a tribute band with my good friend Jimmy the Pit Bull. The Good Mr. Pit Bull is trained in the art of tributes, having not only played the trombone in a trio of Charlie Pride cover bands, but also singing for a group that paid tribute to the world famous new age Christmas band Mannheim Steamroller.
I too have the chops to copy the best the musical kingdom has to offer. For example, I learned to play the opening riff of Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" at the tender age of 11. When I was 15, I learned the opening riff to "Mountain Song" by Jane's Addiction for no other reason than to impress a punk-rock girl I wanted to ... date.
The only problem is to which band do you pay tribute. There are so many options. Winger was at the top of the list, but neither Jimmy the Pit Bull nor myself have the masculine ability to grow as much facial hair as the hirsute Kip Winger. Looking like band you are mimicking is key. Perhaps we could cover Steely Dan songs.
One group that not only looks like their subject but also nails the sound is Johnny Cash tribute band Cash'd Out, who will be playing Belly Up Aspen on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10 p.m.
Doug Benson, who portrays Johnny Cash in the band, rivals Joaquin Phoenix's performance in the movie "Walk the Line." In fact, he rivals Johnny Cash's portrayal of himself in the famous "60 Minutes" interview the Man in Black did with Mike Wallace 30 years ago. That, folks, is dedication to your craft.
The other three members of the band - those three playing the role of the Tennessee Trio - are upright bass player Sean Glithero, lead guitarist Kevin Manuel and drummer Andy Robillard. The band is just about as tight as any band can be with the exception of Tool who are as tight as Rush.
They formed in San Diego in 2004 when Benson met Manuel through a newspaper ad. They played their first gig in 2005 and created a buzz right away. As one can imagine when the movie "Walk the Line" was released, the group's popularity began to spike. It was a fortuitous coincidence that the members of Cash'd Out are most certainly grateful.
While Johnny Cash admitted on many, many occasions that he would never have been as successful if it was not for his wife and sidekick, June Carter Cash, Cash'd Out does not have the benefit of a Carter Cash-alike. At least, that is, not full-time. On occasion they have used guest singers such as Ginger Rees, Tiffany Bennett of Hogs & Heifers fame, and the great Miss Juli Crockett from the immortal L.A. band The Evangenitals. Galena Bergquist and Julia Garlington from Married By Elvis have also helped out but, sadly, there is no perennial female lead in the band.
Cash'd Out has gained a substantial amount of critical acclaim lately. Last year they won the $20,000 grand prize at the Ultimate Music Challenge, and they've also scored the endorsement of Bill Miller. No, not your creepy uncle that can't stop talking about his untreatable rash and affinity for all things sequined. The Bill Miller I refer to was the best friend of Johnny Cash and is the foremost authority on his incredible catalog of music. Miller has said of Cash'd Out: "They're the next best thing to Johnny Cash."
As far as their live show goes one has to wonder if maybe they've taken the Cash song "Cocaine Blues" to heart. They play with the energy of a Tasmanian devil and if the mood hits them right, they pull out a little something extra. They call it the Super Swoop and it's a crowd-pleaser.
The Super Swoop happens when lead guitarist Kevin Manuel climbs on Sean Glithero's upright bass to play the solo at the end of "Folsom Prison Blues." Glithero keeps on playing while kneeling on the floor. It's a common rockabilly move and it looks pretty cool but the two then put on a spin on it. During the guitar solo Glithero spins around, takes the guitar from Manuel and finishes the solo while Manuel takes over on bass. Then people clap.
This is Cash'd Out's second show at Belly Up, so if you missed them the first time be sure not to make the mistake again. If I happen to see you at the show give me some ideas about which band I can cover. Currently, Mr. Pitbull and I are leaning toward Dionne Warwick or Skinny Puppy.
hood@aspendailynews.com
