Being that the city of Houston was actually still under a curfew, the gig started at 9pm. Sweet. For “youngsters” like myself it was a welcome relief from the 11pm school night starts that I’m used to.

Touring behind their debut album “Roll Away” the three piece band kick started it at 9:05pm and left us drained after an encore at 10:50.  The three members are Ross Doyle on drums, Adam Jones on bass and the straw that stirs the drink Davy Knowles on vocals and lead guitar. These dudes grew up together on the Isle of Man. I originally heard them on Alvin Community College’s on-campus radio station.

Their sound spans the genres of blues, indie and hard southern style rock. Plucking covers from legends like Willie Dixon, Robert Cray (their name comes from a Cray tune of the same name) and CSN&Y blew me away. DK looks like he is about 16, but can play the shit out of his axe! Ripping live favorites like “Come Home” and “Too Late” were very nice moments.

These fellows have obviously done their homework on some of the greats in music and I think it may lead to their success also. The raw emotion pours out of Knowles in an effortless manner. His versatile song writing abilites are amazing for being at such a tender age of like 21 or so. The rock solid back up team of Jones and Doyle just helped Knowles gel right into the crowd’s face.  “Too Good For Me” and “It’ll All Come Around” were very hot, too. That these guys have been openers for the likes of Rusted Root, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Eric Burdon, The Who and Gov’t Mule speaks volumes. They’ve played the big festivals like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits, too!  Quite a resume for a one album band no doubt.

In a time when I needed an escape from reality, BDS provided it big time with their volcano guitar chops and growling vocals. It was nice to see H-Town come back to life in this intimate setting with a band that probably will never play a small hall again. ‘Till next time, I’m out.