27 Listicle Series: The Barren Spinsters

Coming straight outta Canberra.They look like a two-piece, sound like a five piece, and move like a hair piece. Frontman Brendon Houlahan plays guitar with his hands, bass with his feet, and singswith his face. Matt Tennant belts the drums really hard, sings a little bit, and wears really dumb shirts while doing it. Together, The Barren Spinsters deliver 70’s Blues Rock With a modern trashy twist. Much the same way that Wolfmother doesn’t.

Top 5 Southern Boogie Rock tracks with The Barren Spinsters

J Roddy Walston & the Business – Don’t Break The Needle

I only just discovered this track and artist a couple of weeks ago, and quickly found out that their self titled album is an absolute must have. J Roddy has a real Leon Russell vibe going on with his piano playing and a voice that could dead set sheer sheep with that gravelly goodness (that’s a compliment for those playing at home). The track is nothing overly complex, but it just pumps and that’s why it’s cool.

The Black Crows – Remedy

I’ve loved this song ever since it was introduced to me by a guitar student of mine who wanted to learn it. We nicknamed him ‘Rockstar’ cause he always wore a leather jacket and was way cooler than all of us teachers. I really dig the drama of the opening chords in this track, being a stark comparison to that relentless groove they lay down in the verses.

Faces – Stay With Me

They say Ronnie Lane cried when Ron Wood announced to his band mates that he was quitting the band. Long story short, I would too. Ron Wood’s guitar playing (especially on this Faces classic) redefined several rock based genres, giving them balls and credibility. I mean, how does one follow a world class guitarist like Mick Taylor when one joins The Rolling Stones? Answer: By being Ron Wood, that’s how.

The Sheepdogs – The Contenders

One of my favourite Canadian bands covering one of my favourite British bands, ‘The Kinks’. Both versions are incredible, which is a true testament to how well the song is written and arranged. I love how the Sheepdog (and The Kinks for that fact) make clean guitars sound heavy as flip.

The Charlie Daniels Band – Trudy

This track is seriously bad-ass, just like the band. There’s a real Kris Kristofferson fugitive storytelling approach to these lyrics that when crossed with that ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd-esque’ southern swampy style, erupts into full tilt boogie.