The Bar Tab Band

The Bar Tab Band Review at Jimmy Sea's in Green Bay, Wisconsin

By TJ
December 31, 2008
For the past six years there has been some musical moonshine brewing in the basements of Green Bay. The Bar Tab Band is a soulful sound that is a blend of alternative country, blue grass, and roots rock & roll. What is alternative country? Alternative country is one of the newest style of genres; it has country roots with the distorted guitars and the creative freedom of alternative music, but it is not that new at all. If Bob Dylan's earlier music was released today it would be spot on Alt Country. At first I was a bit taken back at the pace that BTB took in their first set, but it became apparent by the second set what this band was up to. BTB started off with a few straight forward rock tunes. Troy Heinz's lead vocals were honest, direct and a nice baritone sound that shared lead parts with Dave Wanie's vocals, handling the higher side of the wave, especially on the two part harmonies. It was on the third song of the first set that made this band stand out, BTB played a slow song, and it was great, but it was an interesting change of pace. Troy went into over time handling the harmonica, vocals, and acoustic guitar on a very laid back Bob Dylan cover "Moon shiner," very impressive. While BTB was taking a very non-imposing approach to warm up to the crowd, it might have been that very approach that was getting the crowd at Jimmy Seas interested and involved. The next song, "Truck Driving Man," was very up beat and gave everyone in the band a chance to take a solo. There is alot of talent in this band, and they certainly do create a great jam aspect into the songs. Between Dave's fire attempts on the G&L Guitar fret board, and Tom Clay's clean old school tavern style piano keys, these guys can cut leads. There was alot of visual communication between Jerry Sparkman on bass and Chris S. on drums. They were all playing great, so I really couldn't tell if they were just playing around or if someone was being led through the songs. It turned out to be the latter. Chris, was actually (drummer for Bon Zai McPherson) sitting in on drums for Scott Brown as a favor for his great friends The Bar Tab Band.

Between the first and second set I had a chance to talk with Troy. We chatted about clubs, bands and music styles and then it hit me. There is an actual roots rock scene developing from Appleton to Green Bay and these musicians are networking and building to support it. It hasn't been until recently that area bars and night clubs have been more apt to opening the doors to these great local bands. "You see it has taken us six years of playing many clubs, some good and some bad, and now the bigger clubs are realizing we can bring in more people than the popular bands from Milwaukee and Minneapolis," said Troy.The Bar Tab band hit the second set with a roots songs with a great reggae feel, and then they turned the fire on.Chris got deep into the shuffle,Jerry's baselines got a running and the patrons started spinning and throwing each other around in some serious dancing. The Bar Tab Band had every one's full attention and Jimmy Sea's had everyone full of spirits! The BTB is a great show, lot's of talent, emotion, and just plain good old rock and roll. They were never too country, too rock, or too jam band. Just a great time all around. They write some great originals and hand select a few covers that are just familiar enough but not cliché.

Click Here for More Photos & Music of the Bar Tab Band at Jimmy Sea's

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