Them Dirty Roses at Off Broadway | September 2nd, 2022

Them Dirty Roses brought their Alabama flavor of Black Dirt country rock and roll to Off Broadway this past Friday for a crowd as enthusiastic as the performance itself. Them Dirty Roses – four southern boys from northern Alabama – are making waves in both the country and rock music worlds and if you’ve seen them live you’d understand why; they have all the makings of the next big thing.

I’ve long been a casual fan, as I imagine most anyone who’s heard their 2017 self-titled EP would be, but my fandom has grown as much as their popularity since they started releasing what is now SIX singles off their upcoming project, spanning from June of 2021 to April of this year. I was looking forward to seeing them play this past spring, a show scheduled to be their first St. Louis appearance and also at Off Broadway, but due to pandemic obstacles they had to postpone – I was very disappointed but those extra months built so much more anticipation and after this weekend’s show I can assure you that they were worth the wait.

Austin Basler on Twitter: “Here at @offbroadwaystl for @ThemDirtyRoses. Ready to rock. @JoeStammBand is kicking it off for us and so far, so great. #ArchCityMusicLive pic.twitter.com/bofOmQcJsD / Twitter”

Here at @offbroadwaystl for @ThemDirtyRoses. Ready to rock. @JoeStammBand is kicking it off for us and so far, so great. #ArchCityMusicLive pic.twitter.com/bofOmQcJsD

The Joe Stamm Band jump-started the night on a strong note. Their music was similar enough in style to perfectly complement Them Dirty Roses, but not so similar that it felt forced; instead, Joe and his band brought their own flavor of Midwest country rock and roll and welcomed many new fans to their interesting variety of great music. I enjoyed them so much that I almost forgot they weren’t the headliner – they’re now high on my watchlist and I reckon they should be on yours, too.

The southern roots of Them Dirty Roses shows not only in their music, but as well in their humble, appreciative, and welcoming personalities. From the moment we arrived until the 2AM last call at the bar next door we were treated to some of the most genuine Southern Hospitality you could ask for. The band is made up of brothers James and Frank Ford (vocals/guitar and drums) and their hometown friends Andrew Davis (guitar) and Ben Crain (bass) and their longtime friendship is more than apparent in the chemistry they have both on and off of the stage.

Austin Basler on Twitter: “Green room pre-game party!! A+ hospitality. If the band were an Uber they’d be 5⭐️. pic.twitter.com/KkYlJMbOtZ / Twitter”

Green room pre-game party!! A+ hospitality. If the band were an Uber they’d be 5⭐️. pic.twitter.com/KkYlJMbOtZ

Even knowing the set list, every time I thought I knew what was coming next I was pleasantly surprised. The energy and involvement of each member of the band kept things interesting all night long. Andrew Davis, the lead guitarist, is the glue-guy – and it shows. Before, during, and after the show Andrew made it look easy to keep everything and everyone in one piece, in addition to boasting some of the best guitar playing I’ve seen all year, all while looking like the love-child of Gregg Allman and ZZ Top. Ben Crain, “Ben on Bass,” radiated happiness from the moment we were introduced backstage until the post-bar night cap. His ability to control the crowd was better than that of most lead singers and at times you’d almost forget that he wasn’t the front-man – which speaks volumes to the previously mentioned chemistry and genuine friendship these guys have. James Ford (vocalist/guitar) and Frank Ford (drums) have a bond that only brothers could wish for.

Credit: Breelyn Craig Photography

With names like that they were born to be rockstars and that destiny has been undoubtedly fulfilled. The two fed off of each other’s energy all night long in a way that both complemented and challenged each other and gave no less than 110% from start to finish, especially during the coolest duet-drum solo that I’ve ever seen.

Nobody in their right mind can deny that Them Dirty Roses love what they do and love doing it together. I’m happy to say that I’m riding shotgun on the bandwagon. Them Dirty Roses is one of the most promising, fun bands in the nation because of their unique flavor of a more popular than ever southern rock style and I’m so excited to see their rise to fame with their upcoming album…which couldn’t come soon enough. If you’ve heard of them already, congrats on being cool, but if you haven’t then please do yourself a favor and buy stock now.

Austin Basler on Twitter: “”xoxo” lmao. Ended the night taking some nasty ass shots at the Irish Corner Pub. Just guys being dudes. pic.twitter.com/6leDqfSwI8 / Twitter”

“xoxo” lmao. Ended the night taking some nasty ass shots at the Irish Corner Pub. Just guys being dudes. pic.twitter.com/6leDqfSwI8