Since the video “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company” was released, it has amassed over 380 million views. Whilst it may not be in the “Billion Views Club”, no one can say this isn’t a fantastic accomplishment. In just over ten years, The Dead South have demonstrated the depths, discoveries and journeys folk and bluegrass can take people and fellow musicians on.
Their 2022 Easy Listening for Jerks LPs saw the Canadian quartet bless System of a Down, The Misfits and Cold War Kids material with folk and bluegrass infusions. Furthermore, based on the reaction to the first song, “Tiny Wooden Box”, dropped from their forthcoming LP Chains & Stakes, the best is yet to come. The Dead South are more than a viral video factory that awe fans with matching attire and halcyon myths of the Wild West.
Before The Dead South took to the stage, Henry Wagons, as part of a two-piece act, awed the audience with outlaw country rock. Like any worthy country musician, Wagons had many good stories and knew how to tell them well with wit, which included how he first met The Dead South long before they had their current level of acclaim. From owning every “Australianism” the crowd did and didn’t know to songs about Willie Nelson and death, Wagons performed like an international headliner.
After the crowd was enlightened and in stitches by Henry Wagons, the packed Roundhouse were ready for The Dead South’s opener “Boots”. The juxtaposition of lyrics about a dead man walking suits the fast-paced, joyous, and delightful cacophonies of this hootenanny song. The hypnotic banjo of “Blue Trash” followed, which, to quote this song’s lyrics, has “Finger pickin’ good and greasy bounce”. However, the drink of choice mentioned in this song, spite, didn’t receive much uptake by the majority of the crowd. Whilst The Dead South fans didn’t overly express their joy through motion and noise, constant releases of elation and serotonin could be felt.
The dustbowl genius of “Black Lung”, with inviting lyrics about the devil, murder, whisky and Lyla-Jean, earned moderate foot stomping and further collective crowd admiration. Musical similarities were found between this song and the band’s cover of The Doors, “People Are Strange,” performed later in the set. Attention grabber “That Bastard Son” is about what the title described, offered, not necessarily original, but comedic descriptions of numbness with “I don’t feel no more. I just want liquor and dirty whores…”
Whilst “In Hell, I’ll Be In Good Company” undoubtedly raised the game of the set, the fact that it wasn’t the playout song or final song before the encore demonstrated that the band was not accountable to it. The pre-encore finale went to “Honey You”, a heartfelt love song, yet serious and logical with the lyrics “Honey you are a rock, and I am your land, and we will grow”. The playout went to no other than the controversial yet now classic “Banjo Odyssey”. Everyone knew the words.
The Dead South have a fantastic reputation for making catchy standalone hits, quirky videos with matching attire and cheesy dance moves. There is nothing cheesy about them. Everything about them is genius and sincere. Furthermore, based on the new material performed, including “Tiny Wooden Box”, more excitement and adventures can be expected in future Dead South live sets.
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