Southern Fried Hard Rock - Blackfoot

When people seem to think southern rock, they automatically think Skynyrd or the Allmans (both great bands, as a matter of fact.) But, nobody thinks of them rockin' Native Americans from Jacksonville, FL that go by the name of Blackfoot (the FIRST all Native American band). Perhaps the heaviest of the Southern Rock bands of their time, these guys could kick lots of ass live, and kick the headliners asses as well. The band has been known to steal the show from many bands they have toured with like the Scorpions and Ted Nugent. These guys simply smoke, on stage and in the studio. The band's heyday was between the years 1979 and 1981, where they released 3 kick ass, but somewhat successful albums here in the States, but in Europe, these guys were hot shit. In fact, the band played the much talked about Monsters of Rock festival in 1981 with bands like AC/DC (whom Blackfoot opened for the year prior), Whitesnake, and Blue Oyster Cult, and them boys in Blackfoot stole the damn show from the other performers, according to many festival goers that day. Now, before Blackfoot even started up, lead singer/guitarist Rickey Medlocke was a drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd before they hit it big time (the band was trying a Allman Bros. two drummer type of deal at the time.) The band let Medlocke go, so Medlocke decided to get his own group going, and that is when Blackfoot got started up. The band released two albums on Epic Records, but were not real successful (in fact, they are extremely hard to find these days.) In 1979, the band got a new deal with Atco Records, along with new management. Also that year, they released their most successful album at the time, "Strikes," that had two major radio hits in "Train, Train" (later covered by Warrant) and "Highway Song", but the album also features such classics as "Road Fever" and a cover of Free's "Wishing Well." Many regard this album to be their best album. After "Strikes" was released, the band went on tour promoting the record, ending their tour for the album supporting the Who in Detroit, MI at the Pontiac Silverdome. After their show with the Who, the band went back into the studio to record "Tomcattin'", which would come out in 1980. This album was when they really started to crank it up a notch and in a way start to sound like a southern fried Maiden. These dudes could easily be as metallic as any of them metal bands out at the time. I mean, again, these dudes did open up for Maiden and the Scorps, so that goes to show you how metal these dudes are. In support of "Tomcattin'", the band hit the road with AC/DC on their tour in support of "Back In Black", along with supporting the Who again on their tour. The band also supported the Scorpions in Europe at this time, and that is when their European success shot through the roof. The band would go back to the studio to record "Maruader" in 1981, and they would hit the road yet again, doing big festivals in Europe, doing an headlining American tour with Def Leppard (what a tour THAT would have been to see, given Def Lep released "High 'N' Dry" at this time), supporting Iron Maiden in Europe, and supporting the Scorps again, but this time in Germany. But, it was around this time that the band's popularity was starting to decline, with their record label wanting them to move towards a more mellower direction friendly enough for radio, along with changing their style. Since then, it has never been the same for Blackfoot, leading them to dissolve after the release of their 1984 record, "Vertical Smiles." Rick Medlocke kept trucking with the Blackfoot project, putting out records, even though he was the only original member in the group. But, Mr. Medlocke has found himself some very sweet success with his old mates in Lynyrd Skynyrd, whom now he plays guitar for. The other members got Blackfoot up and going again with a different lead singer, but unfortunately, drummer Jakson "Thunderfoot" Spires passed on in 2005 due to an aneurysm (a very underrated, four on the floor, kick ass drummer, who remains one of my favorites and also remains missed). The band has soldiered on though with an Austrian drummer by the name of Christoph Ulimann, but has been replaced recently with Scott Craig taking the drum throne.

These boys deserved much, much more success than they got, especially here in the States where they were not known as well besides "Train, Train." The band were road warriors. They lived to show their stuff on the road to all the beautiful people who were willing to listen. These boys were a live band, and proud of it. They made killer studio records, don't get me wrong. But, these boys just KILLED it in concert. They were just four good ole' Native American boys from Jacksonville, FL who were wanting to have a good time playing their metallic southern rock for everyone. I think these dudes are criminally underrated, and will more than likely remain that way. I would have loved to have seen them in their heyday, whether it be them opening up for Sweaty Teddy Nugent, or them headlining with Def Leppard, it would have been one of the most kick ass shows I would have ever witnessed. But, since that can't happen, I'll just stick to YouTube videos and listening to bootlegs of theirs. These boys would go on to influence such bands like Raging Slab and Pride & Glory (Zakk Wylde's first side project. I always felt Zakk sounded like ole Rick when he sang on the P&G record, and was also very influenced by this band.) These guys will never get the respect they deserve, but god damn it, I will love these boys no matter what. One of my favorite bands of all time, for sure. If you like your metal from the South, I'm sure as hell you'll dig these boys.

Classic Lineup:
Rick Medlocke - Guitars, Lead Vocals
Charlie Hargrett - Guitar
Greg T. Walker - Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Jakson "Thunderfoot" Spires - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Bonzo Brad's Album Pick:
It is honestly very tough for me to pick between their three albums, "Strikes", "Tomcattin'", and "Marauder." I highly recommend all three and suggest you listen to ALL THREE. But, if I had to pick just one, I'd have to say..."Marauder." That albums kicks ass all the way through, from the high-speeding, adrenaline rush of a opener in "Good Morning" (a song classic thrash band Exodus covered) all the way to their "Free Bird" esque closer in "Searchin'". "Rattlesnake Rock 'N' Roller" is a really kick ass song, with a killer banjo-pickin' opening by Rick's grandfather and hero Shorty Medlocke (who was a big contributor to Blackfoot, supplying memorable intros to "Strikes'" Train, Train and "Tomcattin's" Fox Chase on his harmonica, along with writing "Train, Train.") "Too Hot to Handle" is also quite the rad little song, with a totally unexpected calypso style breakdown near the end of the song. Honestly, every song on here is amazing, with not one weak song on the album, let alone not one weak track on either of the three albums I mentioned.

Killer Tunes:
"Rattlesnake Rock 'N' Roller"

"Gimme, Gimme, Gimme"

"Train, Train"

All of these songs are their LIVE versions, and all of them absolutely SMOKE. Check this shit out with no hesitation.

Rock on you crazy mammajammas,
Bonzo Brad