Southern Culture on the Skids – Stick to Your ribs Rock n’ Roll
Southern Culture on the Skids
w/The Woolly Bushmen
Live at The Social
Friday, March 4, Orlando, FL
Here’s the thing. After you’ve seen a band more than once, even if it’s one of your favorite bands, it’s easy to take 
them for granted. There are expectations and memories to contend with that can easily steal the thunder of this next show. Not so with Southern Culture on the Skids. My fourth time around, they only seem to get better. And when you think you know what to expect, well, something else altogether happens.
Orlando’s own The Woolly Bushmen were once again paired with SCOTS, as they effortlessly compliment one another. The Bushmen’s live show has solidified, the results of their increased roadwork paying off handsomely. Mr. Miller and the brothers Palombi delivered a high energy set of no nonsense, straight ahead, garage variety rock, a great show delivering on the promises of their brilliant albums.
With Southern Culture on the Skids you can expect a hillbilly surf party, audience participation and flying pieces of chicken. So what else?
The trio, Dave Hartman (drums), Mary Huff (bass), and Rick Miller (guitar), spent the evening musing on liquor, love and country cookin’. The set list was once again significantly different from the previous tour, including “Freak 
Flag” from this years forthcoming release, and going back to “Too Much Pork for Just one Fork” from 1990. Miller shared the story of his inspiration to pen “Put your teeth Up on the Windowsill.” And when you’ve been together for three decades, well hell, every song is a sing along.
Miller introduced a local couple who’s wedding song had been “Drunk and Lonesome Again,” bringing them onstage to re-enact their first dance as a man and wife. Ten years on, it seems to be working out for them. Girls jumped onstage to dance to “Daddy was a Preacher But Momma was a Go-Go Girl,” and stayed for a few numbers.
Dave Ewing, formerly of The Hatebombs, currently of The Empyres, joined the band onstage for the closing number, “Carve that Possum.” Halfway through, Miller hung his guitar on Ewing’s neck, took the mic, and went into the audience to lead the sing-along. At home, among his own tribe, Miller seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. “8 Piece Box” was the encore, and being struck with three bits of chicken has to be some sort of blessing. A taut and combustible reading of “Firefly” closed the set.
I was introduced to SCOTS while stationed in Guam, via the track “Soul City,” on a CMJ sampler. Purchased Dirt Track Date the first time I saw it in a Tampa metal specialty record store, where I got strange looks from behind the counter. And since, there’s always been SCOTS music in my car and on my permanent playlist. The only thing better to improve your mood than listening to Southern Culture on the Skids, is seeing them live.
