Sunday, May. 24, 2009

SASQUATCH 09: Buttoned-down Avett Brothers find mojo in the banjo

By Jeremy Dutton

GEORGE -- Is the banjo the most versatile instrument? After seeing North Carolina's Avett Brothers I'm beginning to think so. These guys play a blend somewhere in the middle of punk and bluegrass, but it's full tilt all the time.

When Scott Avett picks up his banjo he turns it into a weapon not so much picking as slamming the strings to breaking point. At the same time he's using his foot to play a kick drum. On the opposite end of the spectrum, just look at how Bela Fleck used the banjo to reinvent how jazz could be played. What's next?

Scott's brother Seth plays the guitar and trades off on vocals. Also on stage were a bass player and a guy on a cello that swung it around like it was a guitar. Everyone on stage was screaming and bouncing all over the place. I saw these guys a couple of years ago at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado and they all wore black and white, buttoned-up outfits. This time, they looked the rock part in T-shirts and flowing hair and had the volume to match.

I also saw my first Sasquatch. Some guy actually dressed in a full Sasquatch costume, head to toe. After being begged to take photos with about 20 people, I can only hope he made it out alive. He can't last long in this heat.