New Jersey’s Sammy Kay, with support from Canada’s Seth Anderson; Chicago’s own 6’10, (as well as J.D. Wright), recently headlined an all acoustic night at G-Man Tavern in the Wrigleyville neighborhood of Chicago. Saturday, February 23rd was a packed night for good shows across the Windy City but Kay kept the smaller but very enthusiastic crowd certain they made a great choice. He gave his fans and friends gathered there a loose and compelling performance, punctuating his set with a few references to a rough few years and how far he’s come back.
Kay kicked off the set with a cover of the classic Tommy James & The Shondells tune (and covered by pop singer Tiffany as well) “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The rest of his set included “Wanderlust.” “Reservoir,” “Who Shot the Shot,” “Mary Swore To Me,” “Forever and a Day,” “Love Letters,” “Highs and Lows,” “Sweet Cecilia,” “Silver Dollar,” “Forgotten Ones,” “Saints and Sinners;” and “You Oughta Know.”
After the show, Kay described the tour to me: “the tour was nothing short of amazing. Every show was just killer. We got to play with so many talented folks, throughout the punk/folk/Americana scenes. It was nothing short of smiles every day, and laughs all night.”
Back to the event crowded Chicago evening: Kay himself acknowledged that cornucopia of punk rock choices as he half-joked during his set about checking his Twitter account for a response from Bob Mould. Mould was performing at Metro Chicago next door. Kay had, through social media, invited Mould to join him on a tune after Mould was done headlining at the larger venue. Alas, Sammy Kay broke the news that he “Never got to meet Bob Mould, but we’ll settle for Eddie “The Eagle” Belfour hangs in Dallas!”
Check out the full review and photos below.
SAMMY KAY
Seth Anderson, presently of Canmore, Alberta, joined Sammy Kay on this tour and joined Kay on stage as harmonica player on the latter performer’s “Silver Dollars.” Anderson’s Facebook page describes his music as “Blending elements of folk/rock and alternative country with the spirit of punk rock…” That’s an apt description. Anderson’s on-stage presence was one of an unending string of smiles and good vibes to match terrific music.
Anderson will be returning to Pouzza FEST this year. Pouzza 9 takes place in downtown Montreal this coming May 17th, 18th; and 19th.
Chicago’s own 6’10 joined Kay and Anderson for this one night as frontman Tobin Bawinkel is an old friend of Kay’s.
On this evening 6’10 consisted of Bawinkel and Keith Perez. The two musicians ripped through “Cannonball,” “Someday Hun,” “Cotton Fields,” “Winter in Chicago,” “Hurricane,” “The Travelers;” and “Just Say Hi.”
Per Bawinkel on 6’10’s immediate plans: “We are releasing a new EP on April 2nd and doing some touring with a stripped down version of the band. It will be 3 of us. Some shows will be full band though. The band is designed to be able to grow and shrink if people are available.”
Bawinkel will be returning to his more well known band, Flatfoot 56, for another acoustic set, on March 1st at 350 Brewery Taproom in Tinley Park. Flatfoot 56’s annual St. Patrick’s Day show kicks off the celebrations early, on March 8th at Reggies Rock Club in Chicago.
Bawinkel also runs a business he founded in July 2018: Six Ten Artist Mentoring. The business is a way for him to impart, on a one-on-one basis, some the knowledge and experience he gained through two decades plus creating and performing music to aspiring musicians. The services he provides through this business deal with both the creative and business sides of being a successful music artist.