It’s pretty rare that you get a chance to see a supergroup play one of their first live shows ever, especially at a small suburban club like Clifton NJ’s Dingbatz. But that’s where I found myself last night (10/2) to see the live debut of Kill Devil Hill, a new band featuring the insane rhythm section of Rex Brown (Pantera, Down) and Vinny Appice (Heaven and Hell, Black Sabbath, Dio), as well as vocalist Dewey Bragg (Pissing Razors) and guitarist Mark Zavon (Ratt, W.A.S.P., 40 Cycle Hum). While the band’s been in the works for the better part of this year, yesterday was the first date of their 22-date tour, and with the quartet headed into the studio shortly to record their debut album with Warren Riker (Down, Corrosion of Conformity, it was time to road test their material, which they did in an energetic 75-minute set.
As far as that material, it was apparent from the first note that the band’s stumbled onto a winning formula that’s both familiar and modern. Drawing influences from both older, doomier Sabbath as well as Down, there’s definitely an influence from the rhythm sections’ prior bands. There’s also a latter-day Alice In Chains vibe, with Bragg and Zavon harmonizing well off of each other. And Bragg was a welcome surprise, able to go from Black Label Society-like whiskey-soaked croon to Anselmo-like scream throughout the course of a song. Some of the song titles included “Hangman,” “Gates of Hell,” and “Up In Flames,” a song that Bragg said was about his house burning down. Most importantly, the band seemed to be enjoying themselves. While Brown left Down due to “health issues,” he seemed in high spirits and didn’t show any signs of being sick/drunk. Neither did the band show any signs of it being one their first shows. They’re obviously a band of veterans, and it came across in how tight they were. The band just signed to SPV, with their debut album tentatively scheduled to be released in March 12. Tour dates after the jump.
photo via Sandi Murphy
10/4 Morgantown WV, 123 Pleasant Street
10/5 Reading PA, Reverb
10/7 Charlotte NC, Tremont Music Hall
10/8 Spartanburg SC, Ground Zero
10/9 Greensboro NC, Arizona Pete’s
10/13 Little Rock AR, Downtown Music
10/14 Ft. Worth TX, The Aardvark
10/15 Houston TX, Warehouse Live
10/19 San Antonio TX, Back Stage Live
10/20 Shreveport LA, Riverside Warehouse
10/21 Jackson MS, Grant Street Hall
10/25 Cookeville TN, Amps and Ramps
10/27 Kent OH, Outpost Concert Club
10/28 Columbus OH, Slapsy Maxie
10/29 Covington KY, The MaddHadder
10/31 Omaha NE, Chrome Lounge
11/2 Des Moines IA, The House of Bricks
11/3 Lincoln NE, Knickerbockers
11/4 Salina KS, Santa Fe Saloon
11/5 St. Louis MO, Pitters Tavern
