April 19, 2007 The Renegade Gospel Rock of Honeysuckle Jones Revival / All Access Magazine
By Maya Dawn Henderson
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Delivering their very own brand of Southern Bluegrass Gospel Rock, the Honeysuckle Jones Revival band took the stage at the divey, yet intimate setting in the Valley’s Studio Suite on a Friday evening in March. A self-described, “beer-soaked wake-up call from the deep south of California” and “renegade gospel rock for the post-punk generation”. Well, it would just be downright sinful if I didn’t go check these guys out! Besides, I’d heard the drummer had some serious skills. What was also intriguing about this band, was the origin of their name and the story of the real Honeysuckle Jones. Born in 1900 in the Coachella Valley, the rebellious daughter of a Pentecostal preacher, Miss Honeysuckle Jones was truly a woman ahead of her time. In her colorful lifetime she was a dancehall singer, lead a vaudeville troupe and starred in small but memorable film rolls. During the times of prohibition she used her celebrity and scandalous persona to speak out against the forces of repression. Her fascinating story is told on the band’s website. It tells about the prudish objections of the temperance ladies being no match for Honeysuckle Jones’ sex-infused fiery sermons, admonishing her followers to revel in God's gifts of liquor, music, pleasure and beauty. Being a stubbornly unorthodox thinker, she refused marry the father of her daughter. Jones believed marriage was an insidious trap designed to replace joy with obligation. In doing so, she inevitably fell out of the public eye at that time. America wasn’t ready for this hedonistic fore-thinker. The really interesting part? Honeysuckle is actually the great-grandmother of the band’s singer, Crystal Keith. Her story is the spawn of this rock-gospel fusion band.
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Using her church-honed musical skills, Crystal is resurrecting her great-grandma's work of leading people to happiness. Well, I suppose I’m already a follower, as some good old Southern rock and whiskey have always put a smile on my face. Even with all that history behind their name, the Honeysuckle Jones Revival’s version of Southern gospel rock doesn’t come off as a rhinestone artifact frozen in time. They seem to be a living, breathing tradition, while still managing to be a fun, upbeat live band. The Honeysuckle Jones Revival is; David Holcomb (in the choir boy robe) on guitar and vocals, Mike Rainey on the bass, the talented Tony Giraldo on drums, and the smooth and fey Crystal Keith on vocals.
With a campy look and a heady gospel intro, they got the crowd jumpin’ and clappin’ early on with a tune called Ready. Instrumentally simplistic, the lyrics were heart-felt and very forthcoming as was the next song, Mighty Long Way. Did You Say You Love Me was played next. Mostly guitar and bass make this a beautiful but mellow piece sung in low and soothing tones. Like car wheels on a gravel road - it reminded me a little of Lucinda Williams, Concrete Blonde and the Cowboy Junkies all in one. Another short “sermon” followed. Not afraid to take a stand or slaughter a few sacred cows, Honeysuckle Jones Revival employs satire to drive home their points. They utilize a lyrical style similar to that of early Dylan, with clever but not-so-cute word choices.
The female vocalist was both sultry and somewhat fragile as she wreathed around on her knees during Without You. She accomplishes without belting, although the music still rocks, like guitar-bass-drums should. They aren’t as loud or fast as a dumber band might be. They played a mystical, moody, ethereal, and trance-like tune called Monster. All the songs were creative in instrumentation and experimentation of gospel-rock-bluegrass fusion. Balancing “earthy music” with a raw edge, without seeming awkwardly trapped between two diametrically opposing cultures.
The applause from the audience during the closing hoedown of God Save Rock ‘n Roll signaled a celebration, not just of the band’s God-given talents, but also of the joy that comes from playing and hearing music that just makes a body glad to be alive. So go “be healed” and see the Honeysuckle Jones Revival at their next show see their website for tour dates... www.myspace.com/thehoneysucklejonesrevival
~ Maya Dawn Henderson ~