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While the name of the group may be an oxy-moron the trio that makes up Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band has produced some foot stomping tunes with their newest album Between The Ditches.  Coming from the southern foothills of Brown County, Indiana the players put fourth a mix of blues, country, rockabilly that’s meanders in an out of each other during these 14 songs. 

The focal point and ring leader Reverend J. Peyton is the star of the show here flashing a guitar style that elates the ear, at times flying all over the fret board and equally delicately picking with ease.  Wife Breezy Peyton contributes backup vocals/washboard while Cousin Aaron Persinger mans the drums completing the “Big Band”

The song writing level may not be up to the musicianship but there a few finds here that work, “We’ll Get Through” is some down-home hillbillyism over a marching backbeat, intricate finger work and lyrics that call for action along with perseverance.  “Shake’em Off Like Fleas” shows off with bluesy riffing and energy while “Easy Come Easy Go” is a sped up foot stomping fun time.  “Brokedown Everywhere” takes Johnny Cash’s traveling vibe and updates it for tough times, but seems to smile the whole way while “Brown County Bound” finds the group in comfortable surroundings. 

A lot of the songs on Between The Ditches seem to be constructed as excuses to break out and jam when the band takes these tunes to the stage (“The Money Goes”, “Shut The Screen”, “Between The Ditches”, “Something For Nothing” etc).  These tracks don’t care much past a riff or phrase, but as a band known for living off their live set this is to be expected.  The group set out to “make a record this time, not just a recording” and there are certainly large helpings of both in the final product as the riffs just flow naturally from the Reverend. 

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