The Domino Kings - "Life & 20" Slewfoot Records
	by Rockzilla

	Not often do I hear a song by an unfamiliar artist that really grabs me on the first listen. It happened a few weeks ago when, on my way to the studio one morning, Bruce Kidder, of KHYI 95.3 FM in Plano, Texas, happened to play 'Borrow A Lie' off of The Domino King's latest album on the Slewfoot label, "Life & 20". I caught up with these boys at Bill's Records in Dallas this past Friday, and weaseled a copy of the disc, and an invite to their show at The Boar's Nest opening for Mark David Manders. After leaving Bill's, I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to "Life & 20", and feeling a little guilty that I had gotten it free. The Domino Kings are: Stevie Newman on guitar and vocals, Brian Capps on bass fiddle and vocals, and Les Gallier on the drums and vocals, and a little mountain dulcimer. All three are from Springfield, Missouri, and have been playing in the Springfield and Tulsa, Oklahoma areas for several years. "Lonesome Highway", the trio's first album, was released in 1999. "Life & 20" was recorded in Springfield at The Studio, in a seven day and night marathon. Produced by The Domino Kings and Lou Whitney, "Life & 20" sounds cool. Heavy doses of reverb and Gallier's retro-rhythms give the 14 tracks an authentic honky-tonk sound. All of the songs on "Life & 20" were written by Capps and Newman, with an assist from Loren Evans on 'Borrow a Lie', and while reading the song info, I noticed that Capps & Newman alternate lead vocals on the disc, and even alternate listing their names first as writers. I hope we don't have one of those ugly Lennon/McCartney things in the future! Listening to the disc, or watching these guys on stage, either is a real treat. At the Boar's Nest, the band managed to put on a hell of a show, even with some major sound problems with Newman's vocals. Brian Capps has a clean cut look that reminds me of the youth pastor at The First Baptist Church, but don't let the looks fool you. He can slap a bass and belt out them honky tonk tunes! Brian's vocals are excellent. Les Gallier keeps it all in time with a very cool sound, which he gets by using a Samsonite alligator suitcase for a bass drum. At the end of their set, Les packed the pedals for the bass and high hat, and his mic stands into the suitcase. A real drum "kit". Les is doing some really innovative stuff and can also do a fine job on vocals. Stevie Newman seems to be the bad boy of this bunch. He can make that gold telecaster do whatever he wants it to do- and guys like that are always fun to watch. I have a theory that all of the great guitar players are in Americana music today, and Steve certainly backs up my theory. His Bill Kirchen-like run through of famous guitar licks is amazing. All of that talent- and he has a great voice to go along with it. Listening to The Domino Kings is a bit like looking for shapes in clouds. You'll hear some Johnny Horton, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb- hell, I thought I heard some Don Gibson in there, too. In Newman's guitar licks you'll hear a little of everything- Don Rich, Luther Perkins, Duane Eddy, and a hundred others. The diversity of influences is what sets The Domino Kings apart from many other "retro" bands. In the songs which they write and perform, you will hear the styles of early Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and others, but Capps, Newman and Gallier manage to combine all of these varied styles, sometimes several in one song, and in effect, make the "old" style new. Do not mistake these boys for a "tribute" band. I asked Brian Capps what they called their music and he said, "It's just honky tonk". It damned sure is. Go see these guys when they're in your area. Click on the cover above and buy the disc. Visit their web site at: www.dominokings.com

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