High River newgrass band The Spitzee post band are excited to make their Lethbridge debut for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 at the Lethbridge College Cave for the Lethbridge Folk Club.
They formed amidst the floods in high river in 2013 and have released two Cds including their most recent “Hardly Strictly Bluesgrass,” which they released four months ago.
“People seem to like that we don’t just play bluegrass,” said vocalist/mandolinist Joe Gore.
“It‘s getting played everywhere, on CKUA and across the country,“ continued Gore, who is joined by his wife Coralee on upright bass, classically trained violinist Craig West and slide/steel guitar payer Wayne Corner plus Turner Valley resident Rhonda Shippy on banjo.
“We all sing harmonies,” he said, praising his bandmates especially Corner, who often plays with Calgary bluesman Tim Williams.
“We’re inspired by bands like the Steel Drivers, but we‘ll even turn Blind Faith songs into bluegrass songs,” he said, adding their sets included everything from traditional bluegrass to country and rock turned into bluegrass songs.
“Alison Krauss is about as far away from Bill Monroe as you can get, but we like both of them. The complement each other,” he said.
“People seem to like us. We don’t just play bluegrass. This year looks to be about the same, but we’re going to organize it so we play more at home,“ Gore continued.
Though they are playing a St. Patrick’s Day, gig they don’t have a St. Patrick’s day set planned, though they know a few Irish themed numbers.
“We play ‘Galway Girl.’ but like my friend Steve Earle says, remember ‘Galway Girl’ is an American song,“ Gore said.
They haven’t played Lethbridge before, but are excited to make their debut.
They are already starting work on their third CD.
“We started recording some new songs. We might record some Bob Wills and Steve Earle and we have some originals,” Gore said, adding they still mainly play on weekend, as they still have day jobs.
“Wayne is a retired engineer. Rhonda is part of the Foothills folk club,” he said adding Craig West plays with a variety of musicians in Calgary. and Gore has a long history in the music business.
“ I used to to be a roadie for Rush,” he said.
The Spitzee Post Band play the Cave, March 17. Charlie Ewing opens the show at 8 p.m. sharp. Admission is $25 for members, $30 for invited guests including a year’s membership and $15 for students with a valid student ID.
