The big question before delving into the August release from former HT Blip artist The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Whole Fam Damnily, is if the big sound from the little band would translate in the studio, because Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is built for festivals. The family’s sound of Rev’s big hillbilly bayou gospel singing, wife Breezy’s choo-choo washboard, and brother Jayme’s thumping kick drum are perfectly suited to reel in loopy concertgoers as they meander from stage to stage on a sunny afternoon.

As bands like Flogging Molly and the Gogol Bordello have proven in different genres (both also recorded on Side One Dummy like this record), as long as the shtick is backed with some good chops; it works. Fortunately, Reverend Peyton’s fingerstyle guitar and dobro, often with a slide, packs a punch-per-capita rivaled maybe only by Jack White. Washboard Breezy and Jayme add a Mack Truck rhythm section, but this is really the Reverend’s show. The man is a true one-of-a-kind weirdo and his music will get inside your soul.

The true highlight of the album is not a specific tune, but rather the Reverend’s vocal stylings in general. The man has a deep rooted love for the letter “H,” which provides endless amusement in emulation (i.e., belting it out and annoying your loved ones) as you sing along with lines like, “Them hold dhays hare ghone, hand they hain’t hcoming bhack.” The album demonstrates some crafty jokesmithing as well as evidenced by the hilarious true redneck story, Your Cousin’s On Cops, and the confusion over the source of the ass shaking on, DTs or the Devil. Finally, a couple tracks are musically beautiful, namely Worn Old Shoe and Them Old Days Are Gone. With their goofy names, a high energy sound and comical tunes, it’d be easy for the Big Damn Band to be taken lightly from a critical perspective; but let’s make one thing abundantly clear; the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band ain’t no novelty act. This is a wonderful album.

• Previously on HT: Pullin’ Tubes - Rev Payton and HT Blips - Three Under The Radar Bands

Welcome to our latest edition of Blips, where we look at three under-the-radar bands that you need to know about.

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Website / MySpace

If you ever catch yourself in one of those funks where they noodling doesn’t hit the spot, indie rock is too tired, and you just can’t find the cure for what ails ye’, what you need is a dose of Reverend Furry Peyton playing some old time guitar, slide or dobro, “Washboard” Breezy on the washboard, and Jamie Peyton on the drums. Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band does for Delta Blues, what the Dropkick Murphy’s do for Irish Music; they douse it with strong whiskey and light it on fire. The threesome lives up to their ironic moniker by transcending their size in both sound and stage presence. This is a band that is destined for greatness, particularly festival greatness. For summers to come, this band will attract festie stragglers to their stage as the quirky, frenetic sound reels ‘em in like the Banjo Minnow. - Rupert

READ ON for two more bands that you need to hear…

If you’re looking for the most incredibly unique musical experience this side of an R. Kelly concert, be sure to check out The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band when they play Sullivan Hall on Saturday night. The Rev plays a flat top Gibson accompanied by his wife on washboard and his brother on drums. They describe their music as “Robert Johnson on crack,” and we’d say that’s pretty accurate.

By the middle of their electric live shows you’ll find most of the crowd hooting and hollering while dancing the night away. Check out Your Cousin’s On Cops from last year’s High Sierra for a taste of what you can expect on Saturday night:

• Jason Webley and Reverend Payton: Two Bottles of Wine
• Reverend Payton’s Big Damn Band: Mama’s Fried Potatoes
• CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SATURDAY’S SHOW