By JOHN DALY
Davey Faragher, Pete Thomas and Val McCallum rode into town and took the stage at The Mint Saturday night.
Their supergroup band, called “Jackshit” raised the roof with a range of classics and originals, playing to a packed house.
The quality of the music far surpasses the name of the band, as the accomplished musicians play with a range of the industry’s best.
The trio got its start playing backup to Vonda Shepard on “Ally McBeal,” but has branched out since, with gigs supporting a host of big names on LA’s West Side and elsewhere. There’s an entire “schtick” to the made-up band, as they claim to be from six hours away in a place called Cochtotan, California.
“Cochtotan’s luckier than a lot of cities …” says the bio on the Jackshit website. “Three of their native sons have been providing the townsfolk with the kind of good rockin’ soundtrack that has them humming long after they’ve left the bar and are being put into protective custody. This powerful trio of string bendin’, skin poundin’ musicians have spent years polishing their chops playing six sets a night at the Tufted Nighthatch Tavern and Bird Sanctuary. And now, finally, they are ready to share their secret with the world.”
Apparently the secret has been out for a while because The Mint was jam-packed Saturday night. And the guys take the routine to the max, sporting the latest in cowboy duds to the ho-down.
McCallum’s guitar playing is as electric as his glittery western shirt. He’s played with the best in the business including Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and Jackson Browne. Drummer Thomas is a member of Elvis Costello and The Attractions with bassist Faragher, but also has worked with John Stewart, The Weepies and Suzanne Vega.
Faragher is an in-demand studio and performing bassist, he’s a co-founder of the band Cracker, and for the last few years has been a core member of Katey Sagal and The Forest Rangers, who return to The Mint on April 3 and April 4.
Check out performance clips:
