I had not attended an Extended Play Session at Alternate Root TV in what felt like a very long time (in reality it was only a month), and was excited to be seeing Trampled Under Foot on Monday night.

Trampled Under Foot

Another band with which I was familiar in name only, Kansas City-based TUF (as they are known) has won blues awards going back about twelve years so I am not sure how my radar missed them. Unfortunately, the band announced recently that they are not going to perform together after the end of this year but will each pursue separate careers. Darn!

TUF

This is an awesome band! Founded by siblings Danielle Schnebelen on bass and vocals and Nick Schnebelen on guitar and vocals, TUF also includes Jan Faircloth on drums and Mike ‘Shinetop Jr.’ Sedovic on keyboards.

Danielle Schnebelen

Slick Nick Schnebelen

Jan Faircloth

Mike ‘Shinetop Jr.’ Sedovic

They played mostly songs from ‘Badlands’, their most recent release. Danielle and Nick alternate singing lead and both are great; Danielle’s voice reminds me of Janis Joplin.

Nick and Danielle

I love the title song from that album, but my favorite song of the show – if forced to pick one – was ‘Mary’. Listening to the CD in my car on my way home, I was able to get a mental image of them performing this song. I also loved the heartache in ‘Pain in My Mind’.

Slick Nick

I always love seeing women musicians playing instruments that are stereotypically associated with men, specifically bass or drums. Danielle did not disappoint!

Danielle

Nick brought ‘only’ three guitars with him, including a resonator guitar which is an instrument I adore. I was glad to be seated directly in front of Nick so I could see his fingers picking the strings and his slide moving up and down the neck.

Slick Nick

Shinetop is excellent on keys. I wish I had been able to watch his fingers tickling the ivories (does one tickle the ivories even when there is no ivory on the keyboard???) because his sound is terrific. Although he does not travel with it, he plays the Hammond B3 as well.

Shinetop Jr.

Jan keeps everyone in line with his drumming. He was not flashy, but his talent comes through.

Jan

During the conversation held after the performance, Nick revealed that his new project is Slick Nick. Sometimes he performs solo, playing guitar, high-hat and kick drum, and sometimes as part of a trio. Danielle’s new project is The Danielle Nicole Band, which includes Shinetop and Jan. I look forward to seeing both!

Danielle

The band truly enjoyed performing for us; the audience quietly listened to and appreciated the music but whistled and stomped with joy when appropriate!

Nick, Shinetop Jr. and Nicole

This wonderful show was my 100th concert of the year! What a way to celebrate!