By: Myles Crawley

It’s a Thursday night here in Southern California as a drive down the coast to the House of Blues in San Diego. I’m listening to the John Butler Trio’s new album April Uprising, which I’ve had for a couple of months now, but haven’t really gotten into yet. The songs are good. I sense a blending of styles, everything from blues to Celtic to bluegrass to a Hendrix influence that undeniably cuts through. John Butler is most definitely a guitar guy, but he can sing too. The band is tight. All in all it’s a good record, but maybe not one of my faves, yet anyway.

By the time I finish the album it’s time to park. After circling the streets around the House of Blues for ten minutes or so, I finally find a space and park the car. As I walk down the hill to the club, I run through my mind what I know about John Butler. I briefly met him a couple of months back at Michele Clark’s Sunset Sessions. He seemed like a really nice fellow. He was born in Torrance, California and moved to a small town on the west coast of Australia when he was ten years old. That’s a tough change for a young boy. At age 16 he inherited an old Dobro resonator guitar that used to belong to his grandfather. It is one of his most prized possessions. He studied art at Curtin University in Perth and was a street busker, cutting his musical teeth on strangers passing by. He’s a loving husband and father and cares deeply about social and environmental causes. He was discovered by a fellow by the name of Philip Stevens who owned a pub in Fremantle called Mojo’s. Philip seems like a nice guy too. He and I have been sending emails back and forth most of the day today. Philip not only manages The John Butler Trio, but runs the band’s record label, Jarrah Records, which John owns with the Australian folk-rock band The Waifs.

When I get down to the club, I pick up my tickets and head inside. I’m arriving a little late which is a bit of a drag because I miss State Radio, who I really wanted to see. John Butler Trio is just coming on stage. The place is jam packed and I’ve got to squeeze in if I care to have any chance of getting a few photos and a decent listen. The band starts up and I’m hearing dirty electric guitar, which is all fine and well except for the fact that what I’m seeing is John Butler playing what appears to be a 12 string acoustic guitar. How can this be? He’s running leads up and down the neck and bending strings to the breaking point. Have you ever tried to bend strings on a 12 string acoustic? From what I hear he leaves the 12^th string off, but still. Ouch! Then he hits a foot pedal. Now I’m hearing what I originally expected – the beautiful acoustic tones of this Australian made Maton 12-string guitar. This turns out to be the way that John Butler and band approach their music. Throughout the set John switches effortlessly between 6 and 12 string acoustics, banjo, DoBro and electric guitar. Bass player Byron Luiters plays electric bass, upright (double) bass and didgeridoo. That’s right folks, didgeridoo! Drummer Nicky Bomba, who is also John’s brother-in-law, plays a mean set of drums and assorted percussion, such as steel drums, conga, cowbell and such.

This band is so good. I see a lot of concerts, but when you run into musicianship on this level, it sticks with you. John Butler is a master at what he does. He kind of kicks back as he plays and sings, reminding me of the “keep on truckin’ guy. He makes everything seem so effortless. All three band members sing, and sing well. The result is an extremely full vocal sound sitting on top of the amazing musicality. The song “One Way Road” takes the audience to a fevered pitch as does “C’mon Now”. The personal side of “I’d Do Anything” was tender and powerful and consumed heartily by this San Diego crowd. John Butler has this keen ability to string together some very powerful lyrics in a style that reminds me of melodic rap. The result is very modern sounding, yet with strong musical roots. Used in combination with the bluegrass and Celtic melodies that he sprinkles within his songs creates a hybrid musical sound that is signature to this band’s material. John’s banjo work on “Ragged Mile” was a sonic departure, but perfectly executed. All three band members have solo portions in the show. The set loses very little momentum during this period, which is unusual. John’s portion, in particular, rocks! He sits down and plays solo on Dobro with a drum machine backing him up. The song “Close To You” is a total crowd pleaser. There is a sea of arms thrusting in the air between me and the stage.

The band’s set lasts just about two hours. There isn’t one moment when I look at my watch and wonder when it will end. As a matter of fact I’m amazed when I leave the club and realize what time it is. I make my way back up the hill to my car humming “Don’t Wanna See Your Face”. And that’s when it hits me. I can’t wait to get back in the car and give this album, April Uprising, another listen. And when I turn the key and the CD kicks up, I’m hooked. It stays in my CD player all the way back home. As a matter of fact it’s still in there.

The John Butler Trio is on tour now through September. They crisscross across the US and Canada, then tour Europe before heading back to Australia for the final leg. They’re playing at this year’s Bonnaroo music festival and at Central Park’s SummerStage in NYC. If you have an opportunity, go and see this band. You will not be disappointed. And buy the album April Uprising. If you are like me, it might take a little while to grow on you. But when it does, that’s it. You’ll be hooked. I guess there’s much worse things to be strung out on. I’ll take another hit of that JBT please.