|
| |
Brian Chidester -
Coconut Times Ocean City - 09/2007
The Danny Morris Band
In an era where most people who profess to be rock 'n' roll fans can't even
name four Chuck Berry songs, the Steer Inn played host to one of the most
unpretentious, hardcore rock 'n' roll shows I've ever seen in Ocean City. To
be honest with you, I came to see the Danny Morris Band because I really
like the owners of the bar. Co-owner Skip and I have talked about
rockabilly, '50s R&B and surf music on previous visits, but I had no idea
what to expect. When I finally walked into the Steer Inn, I admit... I was
leary. The band on the stage were wearing tennis sneakers and cargo/khaki
shorts... hardly what I as a Los Angeles-based journalist expect from bands
that play real surf instrumental music. But very quickly, two things dawned
on me: [1] this music was substance over style (a rare thing these days) and
[2] this show was the most PUNK-ROCK thing I've ever seen in 17 years of
coming to Ocean City. Danny Morris whipped through a host of frenetic
instrumental tunes that, by night's end, seemed like they were going to make
the paint fall off the roof. Morris was not only adept at playing
uncontrived rock 'n' roll, but was surprisingly soulful in his aural assault
on the frets. These guys didn't need vintage clothes or some stage gimmick
tonight. The music stood on its own merits. A rapid-fire version of
"Telstar" was enlightened, but it was Morris's grimey version of "Rumble"
(originally by Link Wray) that truly ripped this crowd a new ass! Ocean City
should consider itself lucky to have hosted such a talented, unrecognized
guitarist as Danny Morris.
|
|
