Slice packed for Petunia and the Vipers

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The Slice was packed to the brim for the first time in a long time for Petunia and the Vipers, Aug. 19 who ended up playing an unofficial wake for the beloved local music  venue, which officially closed its doors, Aug. 22.Petunia and the Vipers  playing the Slice, Aug. 19. Photo by Richrd Amery
Petunia and the Vipers were an excellent example of the diverse styles of music the Slice has featured over the past 11 years, because they embodies all of them.


 I arrived at the end of the first set as the band was winding down with a beautifully, tender waltz which had several couples in close embrace.


 Petunia and the Vipers played three eclectic three sets full of steel guitar, tasteful guitar solos, thudding upright bass and  in inimitable Petunia and his kazoo. Together the band were simply amazing. There was beautiful playing all round exactly where it was needed and plenty of drum, guitar, steel guitar and bass solo.


 The second set explored their more eclectic, exotic musical stylings with a lot of upbeat, toe-tapping gypsy jazz and eastern European flavourings and included a lot of their latest CD “Dead Bird on the Highway.” “Chained” from the CD was one of the many highlights.


They played some blues and popular old rock and roll including ending their second set with “I’m Shakin’,” which everybody and their dog seems to be covering since the White Stripes did it. They put their own stamp on it though.
The third set was even more eclectic, with a lot of groove, some blues and a few more exotic sounding numbers.


After few moments of the at they explored their traditional side with Petunia playing cowbell as well as a cover of George Jones’“White Lightning.”
 They were called  back for several encores including “Folsom Prison Blues.”

— By Richard Amery , L.A Beat Editor
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 31 August 2016 10:08 )