Gaslight Street is, from left, Stratton Moore (drums), Campbell Brown (vocals/guitars), Whitt Algar (bass/keys/organ/vocals) and Dan Wright (lead guitar/vocals).Despite being open for slightly more than three months, Clyde's On Main has already booked its first repeat performance.
Charleston, S.C.-based roots rockers Gaslight Street first played Clyde's in early October, and the show went over so well that the restaurant's owner, Michael Monen, asked them to come back at the first opportunity. On Friday, Dec. 5, they'll take the stage there again.
The band was founded in 2007 by Chattanooga ex-pat and lead vocalist Campbell Brown. The musicians' multipart harmonies, shimmering organ and warm guitar tones embody a classic bluesy, roots sound echoing that of artists such as The Band, the Rolling Stones or Wilco.
"It's really minimalist in terms of our setup, but we're still getting a really raw, bluesy roots sound," Brown says.
Brown grew up in Chattanooga but left the Scenic City about 16 years ago to study art at the College of Charleston. After founding Gaslight - named for a line from the Rolling Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" - he and the other members of the band's original lineup began extending their touring circuit throughout the region.
In 2011, however, the band saw upheaval in its membership that saw the introduction of Whitt Algar (bass/keys/organ), Stratton Moore (drums) and Dan Wright (lead guitar). As the sole founding member still with the group, Brown says the current lineup is making best use of its vocal and songwriting abilities to get closer than ever to his vision when he started the group.
If you goWhat: Gaslight Street.When: 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.Where: Clyde's On Main, 122 W. Main St.Admission: $10.Phone: 423-362-8335.Venue website: www.clydesonmain.comArtist website: www.gaslightstreet.comLineupWhitt Algar - bass/keys/organ/vocalsCampbell Brown - vocals/guitarsStratton Moore - drumsDan Wright - lead guitar/vocalsDiscography2009: "Blue Skies for Fools"2011: "Idle Speed"2013: "Heavy Wind"
"This lineup is what I always wanted it to be," he says. "Before, it was just me. I'd get the guys to provide backup, but I was the sole songwriter and singer for the band. That was OK, but I've always liked variety and sharing that onstage."
"That reminds me of what The Band had back in the '60s and early '70s. It's kind of morphed into that, which has been great."
For their return to the Scenic City, Brown says the set list likely will include material from throughout the band's three-album back catalog as well as a pair of songs being road-tested for an upcoming release.
"The songwriting has definitely evolved," Brown says. "[The songs] are different, and I'm really excited about them."
Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.