Opening the set, Daddy Long Legs pounded out their foot-stompin’ Long John’s Jump then into Bob Seger’s psychedelic 60s classic Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man stirring up the night from the onset. And they proceeded through their 75 minute set at top speed. Front man Brian Hurd (lead vocals, harmonica, slide guitar), Josh Styles (drums), Murat Akturk guitar, slide guitar) and added member Dave Klein (keyboards) deliver a knock-out blow of a show. Self-described as a ‘diabolical rhythm & blues street gang’, they perform loud, fast and furious.

Hard to pin down to any one sound they are their own; more a stew of many influences. Their magic was in the energy, style and passionate playing. This led the crowd to surrender to the visceral dance energy.

From their latest release, Street Sermons, the song Nightmare started with pounding drums and a vocalese climb… ‘ah, ah, ah, ah’… into a hard pop downbeat and punk sensibility rocker. Again, Hurd’s mastery of the harmonica jammed a killer solo. One of their older songs, they sang the sage maxim (you can’t get) Blood From a Stone. A front porch blues number harking The Stones’ Sweet Virginia. Akturk mesmerized as he worked his slide playing on the guitar.

Doctor Boogie was another hard hitting jam. Styles played with one drum stick in his left hand and a maraca in right on a stripped down kit making the absolute most of four drums and one cymbal. Hurd played slide on his dobro guitar for a smart, cool number called Pink Lemonade, about a woman quenching a thirst.

“Dig deep, pay me a dollar and a dime. If you’re lookin’ for a real good time. It’s been a hot minute since you threw me some shade. You ain’t got nothin’ on pink lemonade. Pink lemonade, whiskey and wine. Sugar and spice and everything fine. A cool drink of water ‘fore the sunset fades. That sweet thing known to all as pink lemonade“ 

Evil Eye On You had a Howlin’ Wolf spirit “haw, haw, haw…”  Winner’s Circle is a great down-on-my-luck, devil-may-care tune with catchy lyrics.

“The cards are stacked. The bottom of the pack. Ace is up my sleeve. Lost in the shuffle. Another bad hustle. All I can do is grieve. Outside of the winners’ circle, ain’t no place to be.” 

The night ended with Motorcycle Madness, Death Train Blues and Fire And Brimstone. The former Hurd plays his harmonica conjuring up a motorcyclist revving his engine and a steam engine building up speed as Styles’ rhythm harkin’s steel wheels chugging faster and faster. As they closed, Hurd parted the crowd and walked through the dance floor singing and connecting with fans. Without a hesitation, everyone got their money’s worth and more. This hardscrabble band makes their shows unforgettable. Check them out.

Report by Phillip Solomonson

Photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’