Thor-ever: Allison brothers return to Lafayette, with a different sound
Country act Will Bill and Bruisers make Lafayette debut, a long way from formative years in Thor. Plus, new federal rule for trains carrying hazardous cargo and how it fit into Saturday's derailment
Thanks to Wabash Riverfest for sponsoring today’s issue. Each summer Wabash Riverfest brings the Greater Lafayette community together to celebrate the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States. Celebrate the mighty Wabash River with conservation exhibits, float trips, charcoal drawing classes, a guided riverside hike, a birds of prey presentation, kayak tours, photography workshops and more. Learn more about the festival and sign up for activities: wabashriverfest.com
Today’s edition opens with this Lafayette music scene homecoming, a long way from the school-days start for Thor, via Based in Lafayette correspondent Tim Brouk.
After that check out:
How a new federal rule on hazardous cargo could have played into Saturday’s CSX derailment that closed the Harrison Bridge for 12 hours.
And Dining Divas and Dudes check the new/old dive vibe at 6th Street Dive.
THOR-EVER: ALLISON BROTHERS RETURN TO LAFAYETTE, WITH A DIFFERENT SOUND
By Tim Brouk / For Based in Lafayette
From their parents’ Lafayette basement pounding and picking out Black Sabbath riffs to making a successful go as professional musicians in Nashville, Tennessee, Will and Sean Allison have come a long way since leading the heavy metal trio known as Thor in the late ’00s, often playing at the old Skylight Coffeehouse and even getting on a LayFlats Music Festival.
Today, Will, 30, leads Wild Bill and the Bruisers, a traditional country music trio fresh from an East Coast tour and about to release its debut album, “Cuttin’ the Mustard.” Sean, 27, plays drums in an astounding 10 — yes, 10 — acts in Music City. An example of Sean’s busy schedule: July 3 will be the young musician’s 28th birthday. He will celebrate by backing four different bands at 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and midnight around Nashville.
The Allison brothers rarely perform together, but Wild Bill’s Lafayette debut will see the young musicians team up like it was 2007 all over again. Sean will sit in because Wild Bill’s usual drummer, Roger Ross, is on a West Coast tour with another band. The reunion will take place at 8 p.m. Monday, July 1, at Digby’s Pub and Patio. The show is free.
“Getting to play with the guy that you learned how to play music next to is always a treat,” said Will Allison, who moved to Nashville in 2011 to attend music school at Belmont University. “It’s like a homecoming type of thing, especially with my brother with us. It’s going to be great.”
Wild Bill and the Bruisers’ new single, “Can’t Stand No More,” is set to drop digitally on July 5. Another album, “Live at Acme Feed and Seed,” is set for the fall after “Mustard’s” expected late August/early September release.
Right before a meeting with Postmodern Jukebox, Will Allison talked about the rigors of making it in Nashville, the bold move of becoming a pro musician in Music City and fond Lafayette memories.
Question: Just how different is gigging in Nashville compared to other big cities?
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