These guys from Kentucky have their own unique rock ‘n roll sound and are one of the most high energetic bands which you can experience. BLACK STONE CHERRY released their sixth album “Family Tree” in april and are now touring over Europe, where the final show take place on the iconic Wembley Arena at the end of this year.
In a smaller club in Stockholm, Sweden, they occasionally almost lifted the roof. This night on Debaser was sold out and the fans got a good mix of songs from all albums, also a couple of covers, of course an awesome drumsolo and a lot of fun.

A positive atmosphere spread already when supporting MONSTER TRUCK made a great performance. These canadians were perfect because of the same hardrock genre as the headliners. Everyone got in the right mood at once.
After a while, with thrilling expectations in my stomach, four southern americans entered the stage. Later on me and probably all others were swept away of what this group delivers.

“Burnin’ ” came earlier this year as a first musical taste from the new collection and also started the concert. A good tune, but the following “Me And Mary Jane” really got the show started. A perfect example of these musicians swinging pace and thick riffs. Made us dance on the spot or at least happily move to the music, while loudly singing along.

A bit into the concert everyone did their soloparts and BSC also brought up Jeff “Bongo” Boggs from the skilled crew on stage. This drum technician made a solo on…yes exactly, bongo drums. Not only funny and suitable to his nickname, but also well played. On top of that it had become very warm in this place, so a jump to something different, exotic or unexpected worked just fine. The guitarist Ben Wells hit the beat with a tambourine along with the rockmusic that continued. With a smile he told us that it was a 20 degrees difference to the temperature backstage. However, I think most of us in the audience did not care if we had melted like snowmen in the sunshine. Instead we joined the band and took a little trip to “Soulcreek”. The entertainers made the crowd sing along so easily. Many people knew much of the lyrics and with the smallest hint from singer Chris Robertson we followed his sing along wishes. Just like with friends it became a cheerful time together.
BLACK STONE CHERRY do not need much else on stage than themselves and their instruments. Here we find natural charisma and good contact with the audience. They are down to earth and things that matters most are family and friendship. It is very easy to like these boys.

BSC are fantastic musicians. Not only drummer John Fred Young and guitarist Wells, but also Robertson is an amazing guitarplayer and Jonathan Lawhon plays his bass with a lot of heavy power. Lawhon was before maybe a little more in the background, but now his cool personality has grown.
Ben and Chris produce strong lovely tones while their fingers moves so playfully easy over the guitar strings.
“Soul Machine” gave a nice power, strengthened by the bass, with lively guitarplaying and a pumping sound from the drums.

The lead singer impresses me. He only opens his mouth and out comes a magnificent voice.
In this heavy bluesrock with energy Ben Wells was seen jumping and bouncing very often. He seems to never get tired.
Sometimes during this evening I looked around and saw overwhelmed glad faces everywhere. The happiness increased to “Ain’t Nobody”. Like many others I lost myself into the music they performed. In the beginning of “Can’t You See” Ben and Jonathan sang together with Chris, without any instruments. That moment was breathtaking, as if the air stood still.

So much joy and fellowship surrounded all of us. When the words “Here comes the rain…” was shouted out by Robertson the crowd screamed enthusiastic and sang along to “Rain Wizard”.
Chris often talks between the pieces and does not have to move so much behind his microphone, because he has an inner strength that shines through and reaches out to everyone.
Speaking of that leeds me to John Fred, whos power is like a driving force inside him. He once told me that he deeply loves to play the drums, which is not hard to imagine when you see the feeling and passion he gives when hammering on the drumset or doing some drumstick juggling. Those are also thrown up high to be catched again. Even though Young sits on a drum chair, he jumps up and down from the energetic power. Along with his big amount of hair and head movements, the thoughts of Animal in the Muppet Show comes to mind. Something he have heard before, but I mean this positively and with fascination. A fun experience that has to be watched live. The first time the author of these lines saw them and this impressive drummer I stood there with surprised eyes and my mouth wide open. A personal favorite and definitely one of the best drummers in the world.
How he manage to do some background vocals with steady voice or especially play harmonica directly after a drumsolo is unbelievable.
“Lonely Train” and “Blame It On The Boom Boom” are good examples on this mans ability to switch between explosivity and of holding back, which creates an exciting inner drive. It also reflects the feeling of this concert. I smiled, while Ben Wells kicked his foot up high and continued to jump around.
Pounding beats together with the characteristic guitarsound made us feel so good.

What also comes to my mind is that they did not sound over-rehearsed. Here we find a genuine touch of entertainment.
In the Muddy Waters cover “Hoochie Coochie Man” they came into a groove and made some improvisations. Real slow powerblues with feeling, where the frontman again made a terrific work on both his tools, which many times made us lose our breath. The guitar became an extension of his inner feeling and Robertsons facial expressions followed.
Like Wells once mentioned, their music is more about the roll and not just the rock.

After a couple of hours title song “Family Tree” ended both the gig, as well as the new album. In my opinion I find this tune better live.
In the near future, back in America after this tour and some christmas holidays, they join the Southern Rock Cruise in the beginning of January.
Come next time and hang out with these guys. I already long to see them again. (Anna)

Setlist BLACK STONE CHERRY:
Burnin’
Me And Mary Jane
Ghost Of Floyd Collins
Bad Habit
Like I Roll
Cheaper To Drink Alone
Soulcreek
Soul Machine / Sabotage (Beastie Boys cover)
James Brown
Things My Father Said
Ain’t Nobody
Can’t You See / In My Blood
Rain Wizard
Blind Man
(Drumsolo)
Hoochie Coochie Man (Muddy Waters cover)
Lonely Train
Blame It On The Boom Boom
White Trash Millionaire
Family Tree