The Whappers is something of a local supergroup, made up of members of The Greasy Beans, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, The Merle, Uncle Mountain and Sidney Barnes and his Good Time Band. AKA: Josh Haddix on vocals and guitar, Mark Burin on guitar and vocals, Jake Widgeon on bass and drums, Jeremy Downing on bass and Will Chatham on drums and vocals. They claim their collective influences are “All of the stuff you like, none of the stuff that you don’t.” Which, it turns out, is ‘60s and ‘70s rock and a little bit of old school country. (Really, who doesn’t like that?) In fact, the band skillfully combines tasteful percussion (whether slow or seriously rocking), the kind of guitar chords that either tug at the heart strings or scorch the earth, and Haddix’s raspy vocal deftly balanced with the harmonies of the band. Theirs is a sound that fits (and hits) like a pair of faded Levis and a set of customized brass knuckles.
“The Whappers are back. Ready to melt faces at the Grey Eagle,” the band says on its Facebook invite for the Tuesday, Aug. 20 show. “We will be sharing the stage with the legendary Greasy Beans. You don’t wanna miss this!”
Bluegrass outfit The Greasy Beans hasn’t been heard from much in recent years, but the band (which formed at Warren Wilson College, where founding members Haddix — yes, also of the Whappers — and Charley Brophey were students) predates the likes of Town Mountain and Steep Canyon Rangers. They not only got WNC toes tapping, but toured widely and even performed on stage with North Carolina Dance Theatre. That’s ballet, by the way. (Here’s more about that production in Washington Post.) Haddix and Brophey “are getting the band back together for an exclusive Grey Eagle performance,” says the venue’s web site. “Long heralded as Asheville’s favorite bluegrass band, the Beans still bring the bluegrass fury.”
All ages show. 9 p.m., $8 at the door.
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