Mississippi John Doude plays Home Team BBQ
Mississippi John Doude is a singer-songwriter who often performs as a one-man-band. Most commonly recognized for his dobro playing, and signature story songs, Doude is a bit of an an underground folk icon. His music personifies the attitude and sound of both the modern punk blues and outlaw country movements, but neither could come close to describing his unique sound. Delivering a style of swamp-rock that could only come from a place called McCool, MS, John’s stripped down roots music leads to the forgotten bottoms and hollers where American music began.
With a sound that’s as swampy as snake oil, yet as gritty as the cloud of dust over a dry dirt road, Doude’s sweaty blues riffs create a juke joint trance that’s infectiously nasty. At shows, people invariably stomp their feet, clap, whoop, and holler a lot. They just can’t seem to help it. Mississippi John Doude comes to West Ashley this month when he plays as part of Home Team BBQ’s Live Wire Wednesdays on Sept. 12.
While many people are impressed by his live, multi-instrumental performances, MJD is, first and foremost, a songwriter, spinning yarns of tragedy and murder, of love lost and hope found, and of the desperation born of hard times.
Growing up in McCool, Mississippi exposed John to a unique blend of music and culture, which is reflected in his songs. From church, where his parents led the singing every time the doors were open, to the juke joints he would slip off to on the weekends, music was always his therapy, his escape. “I was actually forbidden from listening to blues, rock, and country by my family. That’s probably why I love them so much.”
John embarked on his solo career in 2007, with the release of the self-titled: Mississippi John Doude. After touring in support of it for a year, and honing his new skill as a one-man-band, John added bass player Ernesto Gomez to form the duo, Voodoo Panther. Released in March 2009, the subsequently titled, Voodoo Panther is still receiving rave reviews. MJD’s third release, Unbroken is a swampy blend of hard southern rock, deep roots blues, and Americana that confronts the social injustices of the American south. 2012 brought a detour into electro-trance directions, with the epic concept album, Future Billy.
2015 heralded a compilation of Doude’s most epic story songs with 7 Tales of Sorrow. Released earlier this year, Yockanookany – (swamp music for travelers) is an instrumental collaboration album.
Mississippi John Doude plays Live Wire Wednesday on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Home Team BBQ, located at 1205 Ashley River Road. For more information, call 843-225-7427 or visit www.hometeambbq.com.
