In the world of music, it's sometimes difficult to get the ball rolling downhill toward the big time.
But Truth & Salvage Co., a Los Angeles-based band that sprang from the fertile Southern rock soil of Ashville, N.C., has gotten the ball of fame downright tumbling -- thanks to a little help from Chris Robinson, the singer/mastermind behind The Black Crowes.
Truth & Salvage played 40 dates with the Crows last year, and continues to partner with that band for roughly a dozen shows this year, said Bill "Smitty" Smith, songwriter/drummer/vocalist. The band is now on its first headlining tour, which brings T&S to Salt Lake City's State Room on Tuesday.
Truth & Salvage's eponymous new record, released in early summer, was not just produced by Robinson. It was also released by The Black Crowes' own label, Megaforce. The disc has arrived to rave reviews and heady comparisons to groups like The Band, The Heartbreakers and the Eagles.
Yet, these boys aren't regurgitating museum pieces -- not by a long shot. The have multiple songwriters pumping out fresh goods in a classic genre. For instance, their song "Them Jeans" was recently selected by Gap Jeans to debut on the retailer's new e-commerce application for iPad -- high-tech indeed, for such a rootsy band.
"Well, you know, you can do a lot with the Internet," said Smith, calling from California. "But one thing you cannot do is be heard live. And we are personable people. ... When it gets down to it, it is better to see us face-to-face. That is how we really like to work, and where we really shine."
Go west, man
Out of the six musicians in Truth & Salvage (Smith; Scott Kinnebrew, vocals/guitar; Tim Jones, vocals/guitar; Walker Young, vocals/keyboards; Joe Edel, bass; Adam Grace, keyboards), four of its members write songs, and do it with verve.
"We do have a lot of songwriters -- but that is one great problem to have, everyone's strongest material to choose from," said Smith.
It was about five years ago that four of the band members, coming from several other successful bands, coalesced into a unit that they decided to take to Los Angeles. Once there, they added what Smith calls the band's "missing brothers" -- Grace and Jones.
Said Smith: "Then, about 2 1/2 years ago, we were introduced to Pete Angeles, the manager for The Black Crowes. He came and heard us play, and Pete thought Chris (Robinson) would like us. Fortunately, he did. We have cobbled out a good relationship, are good friends. They (The Black Crowes) have really taken us under their wing -- no pun intended."
Southern-fried
What is the music that Truth & Salvage make? Smith readily embraces the term Southern rock.
"Modern-day Southern rock 'n' roll, for sure," he confirms.
As for the name, it was given to them by a friend, to sum up their work ethic, said Smith.
"We used to be The Denim Family Band, when we first got here. It was an informal thing, all these songwriters who would get together on the weekends and just hang out.
"Well, we started playing informally at the Hotel Cafe, and at Crane's Tavern, and someone who saw us play there said to us, 'You know what? This is a special group, and you need to take it more seriously.' And we took their advice. And then, after we signed with the label, someone else hanging out with us said, 'You should change your name. You are in your mid-thirties, you are honest, come from a strong work ethic, pay honor to what has come before. Truth and Salvage comes to mind.'
"And it stuck. I guess it just seemed to suit us."
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