PRINTSee This: The Hooten Hallers
One of Columbia’s favorite bands will return for a show at The Blue Note after their first national tour
Courtesy of Andy Rehm
May 10, 2012 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Loading up guitarist John Randall’s Honda Civic is like playing a game of Tetris. But for Randall and bandmate, Andy Rehm, it has become an art.
The two-piece band, The Hooten Hallers, formed in 2006 and has been on the road playing shows almost every night across the country for the past four months. The two met through a mutual friend at MU and bonded over blues and beer. In February they dropped a new album, Greetings From Welp City!, and last month were named one of Missouri’s best bands in Paste Magazine. Now, the dynamic duo will conclude their first national tour with a grand finale show May 12 at The Blue Note.
Where: The Blue Note
When: Saturday at 9 p.m.
Cost: $5-7
Call: (573) 874-1944
Online: thebluenote.com
“Now some people have heard of us and that’s what it’s all about,” Rehm says. “We got to go to every show and try to make some believers out of people.”
The rowdy duo has a silly, gritty sound that is a mixture of rockabilly, old-school blues, classic country and a little soul. Some of their more rambunctious tracks also seem to emulate Rehm and Randall’s love of punk.
They have an edgy confidence when they play, though Rehm says for him it does not come easy. Even after receiving national attention and playing hundreds of shows, Rehm still gets nervous before each one. That’s why he prefers to play in more rural areas.
“Going to a town that doesn’t get a lot of out-of-town acts coming through, it’s like people are glad you’re there,” Rehm says. “It’s much more appreciative. Not to knock bigger cities, but you get a lot of people with their arms crossed like they’ve seen it all. That can be kind of tough — that’s the big city tough thing.”
Sometimes they play in front of smaller crowds. “You just gotta play the songs like you mean ’em, with feeling,” Rehm says. “If people like it, that’s what gets you back in that town. Even if a show starts with only a few people, those people will tell a couple friends and before you know it there are a bunch of people at your show.”
The Hooten Hallers have been a favorite act at The Blue Fugue and consider it their headquarters. And even after the band’s first national tour, full of In-N-Out Burger and great shows, Rehm says they are excited to come home.
“After three months on the road, you really start to miss your friends,” he says. “And you start to really appreciate the little things like, doing laundry … or a shower.”
