Formed in Hollywood in 2019, The Davidians’ lineup features vocalist/guitarist Tex Mosley (vocals, guitar), Will Bentley (guitar, backing vocals), and Max Hagen (drums, backing vocals). While the band does not feature bass guitar in its live shows, Greg “Smog” Boaz (Mavis Staples, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, Tex & the Horseheads) was brought into play bass on this this their second album. The result is a filthy rock n roll band coming to us from the punk scene who have been influenced by bands like The Stooges and MC5 while Tex Mosley says he has been influenced by everything from Stax soul to cowpunk to NYC Lower East Side trash. This can be seen in the three cover songs they have put on the album, as they are certainly diverse and show a band who know their history. The first is Eddie Floyd’s ‘Big Bird” (originally issued on Stax Records in 1968 and written by Floyd and Booker T. Jones), Half Pint & the Fifths’ “Orphan Boy” (an obscure Chicago garage rocker issued in 1966 which later appeared in the popular Back from the Grave series), and Skip James’ “Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues” (originally issued on Paramount Records in 1931).
This is a band producing vibes to shake the ground, chords which we can walk on from one to the other, all drenched in sweat and honesty. They can be slow and full of swagger and then they blast into “Citizen Junkie” and take us on another journey altogether. This is all about some guys turning up at a gig, plugging in and then causing a riot, as that is what is going on in our ears as they drop us back to when Iggy first made an impression, yet also have Seventies punk running in their veins as they mix garage with anything they want to, in true independent fashion. This is not music which will ever be played on commercial radio but instead is designed to be heard in the live environment when the trio have the freedom to take the music in whatever direction it needs, but for those of us who are unlikely ever to experience The Davidians, this will have to do. Just turn it up, and drink beer.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/neverlandranchdavidians/
https://www.heavymedication.com/