Southern Indiana-bred singer-guitarist Reverend Peyton is the bigger-than-life frontman of Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. He has earned a reputation as both a singularly compelling performer and a persuasive evangelist for the rootsy country blues styles that captured his imagination early in life and inspired him and his band to make pilgrimages to Clarksdale, Mississippi to study under such blues masters as T-Model Ford, Robert Belfour and David “Honeyboy” Edwards.
That passionate inspiration has made Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band America’s foremost country blues outfit and fuels their latest release, The Front Porch Sessions. Ahead of a UK tour, which sees them check in to Bristol’s Tunnels venue on August 15, Andy Howells put questions to Reverend Peyton.
What have you been up to since you last appeared in the UK?
We’ve been making records and touring the world. We just played Estonia which is the 34th country that we have played! It’s been busy, but it has also been great.
Can you tell us about your new release The Front Porch Sessions?
It’s our most beautiful record of you ask me. I’m really proud of it. I wanted it to feel like you were back home on our front porch with us, and I hope that is the feeling people get. It started as a whim, or an exercise maybe, but it turned into a real record. I hope people give it a chance.
If there was a track that best defines you, what would it be and why?
We Deserve a Happy Ending, because after the week we’ve had, I’m sure feeling that way. Also, it’s the best song on the record, and I’m trying to live my best life out here on the road.
You’re heading back to the UK on tour, what can people expect from your show?
Real, handmade, from the heart music. It’s our most diverse and exciting show yet. We don’t stare at our feet. Everyone gets their money’s worth.
What made you decide upon your band name?
Well… Reverend Peyton is my name. And since there are just three of us, I guess there is a little irony there.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to tons of 45rpm era stuff. Dancy, fun, 45’s. Trying to find lost stuff from that era too. The world feels heavy right now, and I’m trying to lighten things up in my own mind.
Finally, where can people find out more about the band?
http://www.bigdamnband.com and on all of your favorite social media sites.