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80's New Wave/
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Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Malcolm Holcombe with Rick Spreitzer and Trip Rogers at
The Evening Muse in Charlotte, NC - 4/10/03

Rick Spreitzer & Trip Rogers

I liked Rick Spreitzers album, Meanderthal, but to me, it felt like something was missing. The songs were good, but I had suspicions that Id get to witness a bit of magic that couldnt be caught on tape if I went to see Rick play live. Luckily, he and I live in the same town (Charlotte, NC), so I had the opportunity to put my theory to the test. I was right.

Spreitzer and friend, Trip Rogers, both played acoustic guitar: Rick played rhythm, Trip played lead. Sadly, it was a short set - under 40 minutes. I would have liked to hear more. They played songs from the album (including my personal favorite, Drinking By Myself), as well as several new tunes (Good Medicine sticks out in my mind). The live setting lent a certain honesty and warmth to the music, which didnt come across as well on the CD. Rick seemed comfortable behind the microphone, and had a cheering section from the local mental hospital for support. Trips guitar playing was amazing. Rogers actually stepped up to play one of his own songs towards the end, giving Spreitzer the chance to break out the harmonica. If you have the opportunity to see Rick Spreitzer play live, do it.

Does anyone remember Killer Bob from Twin Peaks? Well if you gave him a guitar and put him on a stage, that would be Malcolm Holcombe. Holcombe comes from Asheville, NC. He released a slew of albums, was signed to Geffen Records, and got a 4-star review from David Fricke. Pretty impressive, especially since he looks like a homeless bum. Despite his appearance, the guy put on one hell of a show.

Malcolm Holcombe

Holcombe played with a scary intensity. I didnt want to take my eyes away for fear that hed sneak up behind me and pull out a knife. His voice sounds a thousand years old (I mean that in a good way), probably the result of decades spent smoking and singing. His acoustic fingerpicking was just as hypnotic as his crazy hobo stare. What stood out about his performance even more than the music was his semi-coherent rambling between songs. He just kind of lapsed into and out of stories - I now know all about his wife, his false teeth, and about the $23.50 he made playing in Georgia, among other things.

He also does this thing where he shakes his head back and forth really fast when hes playing, like my dog does when shes trying to win a tug-of-war.

I know Im not painting a very pretty picture here, so let me clarify: Malcolm put on a great show, and is an extremely talented musician - even if theres a good chance that Ill have nightmares about him when I go to sleep tonight.

Releases by Rick Spreitzer can be purchased at the Rick Spreitzer Official Website
Releases by Malcolm Holcombe can be purchased at Amazon, Insound, and CD Universe