I’ve been trying to catch the local bluegrass (newgrass?) jam band The Wolfman String Band for a while now, but it always seemed like I had something that had to be take care of anytime they played bluegrass night (Thursdays) at Hazelwood Brewing or any of the other venues in town. A friend mentioned over a couple of beers that they would be playing a show on 7th. The only plans I had for that day were to catch the annual Millrace Massacre and Iceman Championship kayak races on the Saluda river (you can check out Sean Rayford’s coverage of last years races here) so I’d FINALLY be able to catch a show.
True to form I showed up about 10 minutes after the doors opened so I could knock back a pre show beverage and mingle a bit. Out at the smoking area I met a couple folks that looked fresh off of shakedown street and we got to chatting. Turns out these super friendly folks were the second band playing a set tonight Woody and Sunshine. After riffing about photography and the struggles that come with the van life I stepped back in to catch the start of The Wolfman String Band set
If you’re in Columbia and listen to bluegrass you may have heard of The Wolfman String Band. It’s a name that sticks with you and their fliers and T-shirts that call back to the days of Showbiz Pizza and the Rock-afire Explosion are some of the best merch I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t heard of them but you’re a fan of bands like Greensky Bluegrass or Billy Strings then you owe it to yourself to check them out!
Formed back in 2020 the band is a pretty standard bluegrass quartet made up of banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass, but these guys are far from run of the mill. With a range that goes from workin’ mans blues to jaunty lighthearted love songs with some classic covers thrown in for good measure you’re sure to find something that will get you up and moving.
Given that the band formed just before the pandemic they had a lot of time to practice and really polish their sound. When these guys get to jammin’ the mandolin and banjo breaks are hotter than a pull off a mason jar on an Appalachian Saturday night. Their cover of the song “I think we’re alone now” is an instant hit that will have you singing along after the first chorus and the driving rhythm and positive energy of “Keep The Faith” will get you pumped up to take on any challenge. Mark my words, this band is going places!
Sometime around 9:00 The self described “Two person jam band” from Arkansas Woody and Sunshine took the stage. After our pre show parking lot chat I was really looking forward to seeing what their sound was all about.
They set up facing each other in the middle of the stage, Woody on the left with his telecoustic guitar and a keyboard synth, Sunshine was on the right with a keyboard synth and the only electric banjo I have ever laid eyes on. I’ve seen banjos with pickups added but this was unique. It was like an electric guitar and a banjo had a baby! Their sound is as unique as Sunshine’s banjo. A little bit of pickin, and a little bit of playin was put to a loop by each member independently but they combined harmoniously to create an impressively large sound. Their self described two person jam band label proved to be extremely accurate. It was easy to get lost in the music while they played together or bouncing back and fourth over loops they had just laid down moments prior.
I had a blast joining them on the sonic space flight that was their set. It was fun seeing where their improvisations would go. Woody and Sunshine are truly talented folks. I can’t even play one instrument and here they are on stage both managing to play two. I swear if you were outside and didn’t know any better you would have guessed there were a minimum of 4 people on that stage. Over the course of 400 live shows and 12 years they’ve managed to craft something truly spectacular. You should absolutely catch them live if they come through your town. I know I’ll be catching the next one.
Woody and Sunshine: Website / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram
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