By: David Schultz

After the dissolution of the Illinois based jamband Brother Jed, guitarist and songwriter Ed Anderson formed Backyard Tire Fire with drummer Tim Kramp, ultimately bringing his brother Matt Anderson into the fold. Going back to the drawing board with a new band may not have been the planned step on Anderson's itinerary, but it has yielded an alt-country power trio that's starting to grow beyond their Midwestern roots.

This past Friday, Backyard Tire Fire hit New York City, opening for The Radiators at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. Located in Times Square, the upscale, corporate-slick venue didn't provide the ideal setting for the roadhouse-style trio as the venue's core demographic doesn't exactly match the Tire Fire's intended audience. With many early arrivers finishing up their meals, Kramp and the Andersons had the unenviable task of winning over a crowd primarily flocking to Midtown to see the New Orleans based rockers.

At the outset, it seemed a task the trio wouldn't accomplish. With Ed Anderson seated near the stage front with an acoustic guitar, the Tire Fire began their set with a series of country songs. Not only did the straightforward acoustic country fail to initially captivate the crowd, given Backyard Tire Fire's alt-country leanings, it also came off as disappointing. Segueing out of the acoustic section with a brisk romp through "Tom Petty," a Johnny Cash inspired tune professing the desire to accomplish the same level of stardom as the sandy-haired Floridian, Anderson moved to the electric guitar and the set found its heart.

It was during the second half of the set that Backyard Tire Fire dove into their Drive-By Truckers blend of blues and country. They touched on Skin & Bones, their latest EP, tearing through a cover of Barry Cowsill's "Crack Alley" and their own "Downtime" as well as previewed their upcoming Vagabonds & Hooligans, highlighted by "The Wrong Hand," which is Chris Robinson's voice short of being a lost track from an early-era Black Crowes album.

Paying homage to the venue's lofty pedigree, Anderson led the band through a deliciously funky romp through Luther Allison's "Ragged And Dirty," ripping his finger open in the process. Relishing his battle wound, Anderson proudly displayed his bloodstained guitar during an inspired "Blood On The Strings," giving an added level of meaning to the "Turn The Page" weary-from-the-road song.

Vagabonds & Hooligans will come out in the first week of February with the band celebrating the release with a Midwestern run of shows. They will also be on the bill for the Allman Brothers led Wanee Festival on April 13 in Live Oak, FL.

Labels: Backyard Tire Fire