Trent Summar and the New Row Mob
Live! At 12th & Porter
DCN
By Jud Block
 Way back at the turn
of the century, I was first introduced to what would later be
conveniently, and arcanely, labeled "alt.-country."
Now at the time, of course, I had no way of knowing that this
song titled "New Money," which had so abruptly captured
my attention, would eventually lead me down the epigone strewn
path of aging hipsterism and genuine talent that we have all
come to intermittently love and hate today. And who was that
Pied Piper in swain's clothing who encouraged me to take that
first step? Well, it was a fellow named Trent Summar and his
New Row Mob. I immediately went out and bought his CD, wore the
damn thing out and have spent the last few years wondering just
what in the hell had happened to him. Got the answer to that
timeless question just the other day when a copy of his latest
disc, Live! At 12th & Porter, found its way to my
humble abode in the bobcat-infested streets of Charlotte, NC.
Trent Summar used to be in a band called Hank Flamingo --
hell, the name itself is deserving of induction into the Country
Music Hall O' Fame -- who were known for their punk-influenced
country sound and a stage show that'd have Springsteen reaching
for an oxygen mask. Well not much has changed with the New Row
Mob. The sound may be a little more country, but the energy level
that Trent and the boys manage to capture and exude by way of
CD is enough to leave the listeners sweating.
The opening track of the disc, "The Beat Don't Ever Stop,"
sets the tone for everything else that's to come. It's a roadhouse
rocker about life on the road that has a loud, distorted boogie
guitar line and driving bass that could bring a tear to Dan Baird's
eye.
After this all the favorites are here -- "I'm Country,"
"Paint Your Name in Purple," "New Money,"
"Metal Stone Glass & Wood," "Starletta,"
"Lookout Mountain," "Too Busy Missing You,"
"Colene," "Be So Blue, " and "It Never
Rains in Southern California" -- but they're done with a
ferocity that makes them seem as if you're hearing them for the
first time. And, I'd have to conjecture, this is the way Trent
Summar wanted them to sound in the first place.
But what really makes this disc exciting is the inclusion
of three new original songs. "She's a Woman" is a song
simply about love, but it sounds like a direct descendant of
the Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" session. This is what
is meant when the terms "dirty," "greasy"
and "rock" are put together.
She's fire and I'm water
I'm a daddy's son, she's a mother's daughter
It burns my skin just to hold her hand
She's a woman and I'm a man
How "The Dope Smoking Song" didn't become an anthem
for the NORML crowd is a mystery I'll have to ponder right after
I get to the bottom of the resurgence of hair metal. Maybe it's
the fact that the song is only five minutes long and sitar-less.
Whatever the reason, it's damn funny, easily sung along with
and apparently has the endorsement of Willie Nelson. What the
hell else more do you need? Toke 'em if ya got 'em.
Let's all get stoned
And listen to George Jones
We'll be higher than a hippie on a helicopter ride
Roll up your homegrown
We'll sing some redneck songs
We'll take the low part, brother, I'll sing mine high
Speaking of jam bands, "Slaw" is a funky little
number about that food without which "Southern-style"
could never be served. Order's up, with a side of noodlin'.
Lord child
You gotta taste that woman's slaw
Live! At 12th & Porter is the perfect Friday or
Saturday night party album. High energy, great music and an irreverent
front man. Trent Summar and the New Row Mob could very well be
the Beat Farmers for a new generation. Check out Live! At
12th & Porter, it'll make you sorry you weren't there.
Get a copy of your very own at www.trentsummar.com, and play
it loud.
Contact Jud Block at jud-at-rockzilla.net
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