Album review: THE DEAD SOUTH – Illusion & Doubt

DevilDuck Records [Release date 23.03.18]

Outlaws, modern hillbillies? The opening strains of ‘Boots’ does, indeed, bring Jed Clampett and his clan to mind. And regrettably, not Elly May.

No, more her half-witted half-brother Jethro, having a banjo/mandolin fuelled bluegrass hoedown with his pals under the influence of moonshine.

From Regina (where the f*** is Regina? The capital of Saskatchewan, Canada, apparently) the band born of grunge roots are the punk equivalent of a Canadian/French (the odd refrain of chanson gets added to the mix) bluegrass and country outfit.

Gritty, raw and packed with up-tempo songs about lovin’, killin’, cheatin’ and drinkin’, Illusion and Doubt – the follow up to the band’s debut Good Company (2015) - was released in late 2016, but is being given a release here in support if the band’s April 2018 UK tour.

The success of the band’s excellent 2016 video for ‘In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company’ (41 million YouTube views and climbing) signposts what you can expect and goes some way to explaining why many dates are already sold out, even if Illusion & Doubt doesn’t feature such an obvious ‘hit’. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 8 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)