Return to Lonely Goat Features Archives

First published in  Lonely Goat Print Magazine Volume III - #2

Skinny Band, Phat Sound
by Chris Kempf (February, 2000)

If a band plays at a local nightclub and hardly anyone hears it, does it make a sound?

If the band is Mister Skinny from Knoxville Tennessee, you're damn right it does! On Wednesday, January 26th at the Inzone in Kernersville, the 'Skinny Boys' played a blend of rock/R&B type funk to a small die-hard crowd that braved icy roads on a weeknight to see an out-of-state band.

When I first saw the band members that night, I noticed that guitarist Davis Mitchell had broken his hand, and keyboardist Cary Archer was on crutches, leaving bassist Jeff Minyard and drummer Dave Sharp the ambassadors of health for the band. " Oh @#!%," I said to Davis, "How are you gonna play?" "I'll be alright" he told be. Well, that was an understatement! The first set flowed with a mixture of crisp, older originals such as "Nothing I Can Do," "Slow Connection," "Mister Skinny," and one of my favorites "Shoestring," as well as some incredibly well-done covers including "Fame" (David Bowie) and "Always on the Run" (Lenny Kravitz). I was also very pleasantly surprised to hear a brand new piece called "Bounce Back" written by drummer David Sharp.

After a short mind-focusing break, Carey informed me that he was feeling particularly good and really wanted to "open up" in the second set. Once again I was floored! mister Skinny opened with a very lively original called "Through the Light" that flowed without stopping through "Tweezer (Phish) >"It's Your Thing" (Isley Brothers) > "Movin' On" (original) > "Pusher Man" (Curtis Mayfield) > "Movin' On Reprise." The band then did a fine job with "Purple Rain" (Prince/ The Artist/ A bunch of squiggly lines/ Whatever). We were then treated to an amazing version of "Red House" (Jimi Hendrix), and then another new original, "Y2K." Finally, after even more intense jamming, the band closed with the most incredible cover of the Grateful Dead's "Shakedown Street" that I have ever heard, no doubt!

As you can tell by the list of songs in this review, the band caters to many different styles of music, while at the same time harboring a unique funky sound that can only be called their own. Any way you look at it - Mister Skinny is Phat!

For more information concerning Mister Skinny, look in the Lonely Goat for upcoming local shows, listen to "Stoner's Serenade" on WQFS 90.9 Sunday mornings at eight AM, or contact them on their website at www.misterskinny.com.

That's all for now. Peace, Love and Music to all my friends (and readers). Hope to dance with y'all soon!