The Trip Daddies, one of the rockinist live acts St Louis has to offer.

I have only lived in the city for a couple of months and in my tenure here I have been lucky enough to see many live acts, some amazing ones and some not so much but one of my favorite offerings this city has is the Trip Daddies. Born and raised St Louis Rockabilly this band has a powerful stage presence, a slick style and the knowledge and experience to know how to rock a crowd.

I recently saw the Daddies play at a rather new venue open in Maplewood called the Deluxe, a nice fifties throwback diner/bar (Which I must add have fantastic Pabst Blue Ribbon prices and good daily drink specials though I have yet to eat there). I have had the opportunity to see a few different shows there and I really enjoy the atmosphere, it is a good place to see a show as they provide ample seating with booth's along the wall and tables set upon the floor and still providing a good area in front of the raised stage to dance. The fifties motif adds a lot to the décor as well and all of the bartenders are friendly and happy to help get you drunk.

The show opened with Clownvis Presley followed by the Gear Grinders, I sadly regret to inform my readers that I did not get to see the beginning of the show but would like to state that the Gear Grinders are another kick-ass live act from St. Louis and if you get a chance check them out they do not disappoint. So seeing as I only saw half of the show I will talk about that. I arrived when Clownvis took the stage for his second act, Clownvis Presley is my happy thought, when I am sad or nightmarishly introspective just one thought of Clownvis and I am all smiles and puppy dog kisses again. Clownvis came up and did a beautiful rendition of Blue Christmas (as it was seasonally appropriate) then introduced the Trip Daddies, the Daddies are a trio who have been together for twelve years in St. Louis. Recognizable by the pompadour's, chrome microphone's, rolled and pegged jeans, sunglasses at night, hollow six strings and a PBR logo that has been artfully redesigned to read the band's name.

Craig Daddy, the lead singer and guitarist picks the guitar like he just got back from the crossroad's somewhere after selling his soul to the devil and can sing into a chrome mike and make it wail when it comes out, Craig has the look and the skill as he whips his guitar over and behind his back and then spin around and jump onto a table after writhing around on the floor still playing the whole time and never missing a note. The bassist brings a more punk feel to the act he has a real Sid Vicious energy about as he pogo's around the stage with spiky black hair, he is the youngest member of the group and to the best of my knowledge is a rather new addition and in my opinion a good one. The drummer rocks it with intensity and has a fantastic time doing it as well. And at the end of the night Clownvis even joined the band for more kick-assery.

The Trip Daddies are a great Psychobilly/rockabilly band, playing fast, hard and loud , they show up to kick ass and drink beer and these guys run out of beer pretty damn quick. Any opportunity to see them and I would recommend it highly, I have seen them many times and have not seen the same show twice. All of the members are cool people worth talking to also, just don't mess up Craig Daddies hair.