Ain’t nothing gonna save your soul

I first met Michael Dean Damron (when he was mostly just Mike D to his friends) when he was still playing with his band - the wonderfully titled I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House. We were introduced by a mutual friend and I was immediately taken by his charm and wit. The rest of his band were a blast to hang out with as well. We kept in touch on and off and had the good fortune to catch them when they rolled into Austin a year or two later. They tore the roof off Beerland and after many drinks later I learned they were playing in Dallas the next night. Mike told us he’d put us on the guest list so of course we’d make the drive up. I split work early and I drove like a bat out of hell to get to Deep Ellum in time to catch the show. It was a bit of a nightmare on the highway but we made it in time to catch the last half of their set that night and have a few drinks with the boys after the show was over.

I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch is long gone and Mike D has gone on to bigger and better things with his new records. I’ll always have a space in my heart for the wailing blues and slashing guitar of the old material but his new album Bad Days Ahead is just as good. There’s still gallons of blood and bile in his voice and songs. This isn’t “feel good” music, it’s “feel something when you’ve been numb for days” music. I hope Mike’s doing well wherever he is.

PLAY:

DOWNLOAD: Michael Dean Damron & Thee Loyal Bastards - By The Time I Get To Heaven