Split Lip Rayfield

A A A Comments By Ward Rubrecht Wednesday, Oct 21 2009

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Calling Split Lip Rayfield a bluegrass band may give the wrong impression. True, they bring the standard guitar, mandolin, bass, and banjo to the stage. But you'd probably imagine guys dressed in identical suits, rehashing a mix of gospel tunes and tame American classics. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mosh pits are common at Split Lip shows, as the frenzied plucking of Jeff Eaton on his gas-can bass drives the bands' fingers faster and faster. From the many cars destroyed in a misspent youth to the many drug-and-alcohol excesses of a misspent adulthood, the group's music covers topics too harsh for most traditional bluegrass ensembles. Split Lip hail from Wichita, and you can hear a strong country influence in their more laid-back tracks, like "Used to Call Me Baby," which employs the classic country play on words ("Used to call me baby, now she don't call me at all"). But with a hard edge and rock-influenced tunes, their audience these days is solidly urban, grungy, and punk. With the White Iron Band. 18+. (Photo by Ryan Hendrix)
Fri., Oct. 23, 8 p.m., 2009

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