The North Mississippi Allstars make no qualms about who they are, where they are from or what type of music they play.
"We're a modern day rock 'n' roll band from Mississippi with blues, gospel and psychedelic influences all twisted into our music," said Luther Dickinson, vocalist and guitarist of the Allstars. "It's never gonna be the 'sophisticated Allstars.' We're dirty South all the way."
Luther, drummer Cody Dickinson and bassist Chris Chew will be bringing the dirty South to Buffalo on Thursday, March 14 as they headline the evening's show at The Tralf.
"We play ass-shaking and beer drinking, good time music," the guitarist said. "It's modern hill country blues, which isn't down and depressing stuff, it's more a celebration of life. It's all about forgetting your worries and having a good time."
The Allstars received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Recording with their debut album Shake Hands with Shorty, and they are back for another shot at the title. The band just published their latest release, 51 Phantom, which lends itself to a more classic rock vibe than its predecessor.
While Shake Hands with Shorty featured covers of songs written by R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Mississippi Fred McDowell, 51 Phantom is more of a personal statement with nine original compositions.
Standout tracks include "Snakes in My Bushes" summoning the raw boogie and ZZ Top feeling, the call and response vocals of "Ship" emanating a gospel touch, a rousing cover of Kimbrough's "Lord Have Mercy" and the title track, a sinister shuffle.
The Allstars even venture into ballads with the soulful "Leavin'" and plaintive "Up over Yonder." The album's final track "Mud" is a dark, swampy and bizarre romp featuring the lyrics, "I'm in the mud, and the mud is in me," staking claim to the band's roots in Mississippi.
"Our music is aggressive and has high energy, but all the action is in the crowd. There are hordes of pretty girls shaking and dancing, which the guys seem to like. I love it! Maybe it has to do with the drumming," said Luther.
To supervise and produce the recording of 51 Phantom, the Allstars tapped Jim Dickinson, Luther and Cody's father, who has worked with Ry Cooder, Primal Scream, The Replacements and others.
Not only a fan favorite, the Allstars have attracted the attention of other artists and musicians with their supreme musicianship and roots-based approach.
"We've been on a roll for the last year or so, making records and playing and touring with a bunch of different people. It's great, I love it," said Luther.
The Dickinson brothers and Chew also formed 'gospel-supergroup' The Word and have collaborated with Widespread Panic's John Herman, James Mathus and the Knockdown Society, Jon Spencer and Lucinda Williams.
The Allstars' stop in Buffalo begins the second week of their month-long tour which will take them from as far north as Toronto and as south as Fort Lauderdale.
"We're going to keep making records, touring, collaborating and producing. It is all I know how and want to do," said Luther.
Opening their March 14 show at The Tralf will be local blues band D.D. Ellis and the Wildcats.
Northern Mississippi Allstars
Playing at The Tralf
8 p.m. Thursday, March 14
$12 advance, $14 at the door
