Country music might pretend to be the most honest, but it isn’t. Instead, it’s often the most contrived. Artists trying to eke out a living from Country music know they can fall back on the well-worn tropes of religion, trucks, and, of course, America itself, and the algorithms that dictate what music gets heard go into overdrive. But, honesty? Nope. For that, it has to be blue-collar, quitting time on a Friday night, Southern rock ‘n’ roll; that’s where the honesty is at. And sadly, it’s very often a place where the algorithms fear to tread. And one of the best Southern rock ‘n’ roll acts out there at the moment is North Carolina, USA-based Preacher Stone.

On a whistle-stop tour set around an appearance at Planet Rock’s poorly named Winter’s End Festival (winter’s end, my arse), the 5-piece are building on the word-of-mouth generated from a successful previous tour around these parts, which saw Preacher Stone double up with homegrown talent Sons of Liberty in early 2023. By the spirit of Ronnie Van Zant, that was a glorious tour. A night of honest, good-time, working man rock music. Preacher Stone must have had fun, as they are back for more. This time around, the British act appearing alongside them is just starting on their own journey: Newbury/Basingstoke-based quartet Revenant.

Less gritty and more polished than the headliners, Revenant are perhaps more contemporary rather than classic. More Black Stone Cherry, less Skynyrd or The Allmans. Set-opener ‘Public Service Announcement’ is, however, a perfect slice of guitar-driven classic rock. Great interplay between Sam Lay (vocals/guitar) and Matt Hudson (guitar), it’s a catchy few minutes, as is the immediate follow-on ‘Best Medicine’. Both tracks are perfectly suited to an audience waiting on a Southern rock act, as both are full of sizzling guitars, and the solos on the latter are especially tasty.

New Track ‘Waste My Time’ is a sneaky little hook-laden bastard that lingers on for quite some time after. Shades of ZZ Top here and there, it’s great fun. ‘Black Dogs and Sad Men’ is heavier, both lyrically and tonally. A stunning live version of ‘The Masquerade’ adds more weight to proceedings; the engine room team of Robin Nutley (bass) and Carl Donoghue (drums) earn their crust on this one, and Matt Hudson’s guitar solo is perfect. As the song fades out, Donoghue starts the intro to Zeppelin’s ‘When the Levee Breaks’, only it’s a heavy-as-balls intro – as if Metallica were noodling in the warm-up room and Papa Het fancied a bit of Zep. Lots of slide guitar throughout on a cover that is anything but by the numbers. Preacher Stone guitarist Ben Robinson is down on the barrier, urging the guys to bring it, and that’s what they do.

Latest single ‘I’ll Be There’ ends the well-received set, and by the time that it fades out, the band have cajoled a good response out of an audience – save for a few hardy souls on the barrier – content to sit at tables at the back of the room. Revenant have a spark about them, as well as memorable songs, and some great playing. It’s going to be interesting to see how they progress over the coming year. Watch this space.

Preacher Stone have a song called ‘Ain’t As Easy As It Looks’ (sadly cut from the set due to time restraints), and that mantra sums them up perfectly. They make it look easy, but as many acts (mostly UK acts) have found out, Southern music ain’t as easy as it looks. It has to be ingrained from birth. Surroundings play a big part in that, which means bands from the Southern states of the US have a leg-up over acts from other countries. Southern by the grace of God, after all. And they don’t mean southern Scotland, England, Wales, etc. For 100% bonafide Southern rock and roll, it has to be American-built.

It also helps when the performers have been around the block and have a few miles on the odometer. You’re hardly going to believe tales of hardship and struggles from an act yet to start shaving, and Preacher Stone (along with previous tourmates Sons of Liberty) have put the hours in, and sadly, in recent times, have the scars to prove it. All of which makes ‘Hard Life PhD’ the ideal set opener, especially with the declaration of “Life ain’t fair, lesson earned…” And how about the chorus of “Ain’t got no high-brow education/Ain’t got no ivy league degree/Tattoos, scars, and a reputation/A hard life PHD” to get the audience on your side from the off? A perfect set opener, fuelled by the stunning duel lead guitar work from Ben Robinson and new-ish guy Darrell Whitt, and if you have ever felt that there is often a Thin Lizzy feel to the guitar melodies found in Southern rock, then this pair sparks memories of Robbo, Scott Gorham, Gary Moore, etc, especially on the likes of ‘The Devil You Know’.

Frontman Ronnie Riddle is the ideal host for the evening. Dancing to the beat of his own drum, he is funny, relatable, packs a sharp sense of humour, and most importantly, has a killer, warm voice (often bolstered by the sweet backing vocal harmonies from bassist Jim Bolt – ‘Blessing and a Curse’ immediately springs to mind) that welcomes everyone in from the cold and makes them feel at home. His role is that of a preacher addressing his congregation, all with a wicked glint in his eyes as he regales the crowd with tales of his upbringing on ‘Old Fashioned, Ass Whoopin’ Sum Bitch’ and, later, the “bad domestic situations” that inspired ‘Not Today’, and how the theme of “…if you want to mess up a relationship, just call me…” inspired ‘Writing on The Wall’.

Mess-ups like coming in late or the wrong lyrics lead to an explanation from Riddle about how his Grandma used to deal with screw-ups with the simple warning of “That’s one…”, you didn’t want to let her get to three, that’s for sure. ‘That’s Just the Whiskey Talkin” is introduced by Riddle, letting the crowd know that they can “…drink all you want tonight, because if something happens and you get a little bit pissed then we’ll make sure you get home…or somewhere comfortable”, before adlibbing a few lines of the Bill Withers classic ‘Lean on Me’ to act as a signal to Robinson and Whitt to let fly with some gnarly, drawling riffage. Whitt particularly impresses on ‘Saddled and Rode’, which packs a bit of an Aerosmith ‘Last Child’ strut.

It’s difficult to talk about the musicianship on display tonight without resorting to hyperbole, but it is quite staggering. Not just the guitar work that constantly thrills, but Preacher Stone possesses a secret weapon in the form of monoymous drummer Wyatt, who honestly has to be seen (and heard) to be believed. He makes that kit of his purr like a Rolls-Royce engine, and his playing is so impressive that his drum solo doesn’t see anyone use it as an opportunity to hit the bar. After the show, grizzled gig veterans are to be heard enthusing over his playing and how Wyatt is one of the best that they have encountered. High praise indeed.

It’s a talent to make an 18-song, 90-minute set pass in the blink of an eye, and before long, Ronnie Riddle is centre stage, thanking everyone for coming along, and how nobody should go anywhere, as once ‘Save My Soul’ ends, he is coming out there to personally thank everyone, and that’s just what he does. If you want a bear hug, a slap on the back, and a genuine “thank you” from the frontman of the greatest Southern rock band that you might not have yet heard, then get along to a gig the next time that Preacher Stone are in town. And bring some friends, for they will truly thank you.

Connect with Preacher Stone, HERE.

Review – Dave

All images – Dave Jamieson