Artist:     The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Album:     Poor Until Payday

Label:     Thirty Tigers/Family Owned Records

Release Date:     10.5.18

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Positive vibes emanate from the bully pulpit of Poor Until Payday, the latest sermon of boisterous country blues from The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. Feverishly expounding on the virtues of self-preservation in a brawling “You Can’t Steal My Shine” and a defiant “I Suffer I Get Tougher,” the indomitable Peyton rejoices in steely fingerpicked churn and rusted-out, slide-guitar fury throughout an album that never loses momentum. There is dirt underneath those nails and a determination to never give in to hardships.

For such a stripped-down band, with drummer Maxwell Senteney’s snappy beats and wife Washboard Breezy Peyton scratching out rough rhythms on the washboard and tossing in saucy backing vocals, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band produces a surprisingly muscular sound. Aside from the stark, Delta blues meditation “Church Clothes,” Poor Until Payday crackles with energy, as a frenetic, upbeat “Get the Family Together” stomps around as if its feet are on fire, encouraging the good Reverend to exclaim at the end, “That felt pretty hot.”

Temperatures keep rising, as the trio dives headlong into the strong, heavy grooves of “So Good” and the sleazy, lascivious “Dirty Swerve” – Peyton’s booming voice matching the mighty hooks they throw around. An ominous, threatening revenge song like “Me and the Devil” adds a sinister edge to a mostly joyful and exuberant record, as the gospel frenzy of “Frenchmen Street” longs to revel in the sights and sounds of New Orleans. Money may be tight for Reverend Peyton, but Poor Until Payday is rich in authenticity, honesty and thrilling guitar salvos.

—Peter Lindblad