Rory Kelly rolls in Newnan, GA |
"On Saturday and Sunday, Rory Kelly’s Triple Threat comes to Jekyll and Hyde’s for two shows to sling rock ‘n roll all over Newnan.
Rory Kelly’s Triple Threat emerged out of the dissolution of Kelly’s former band, Crank County Daredevils, when he then put together his dream group eventually consisting of his father, Mike, on drums (Rory jokingly insists his dad earned being the drummer; it wasn’t a merits system) and Billy Miller on bass. In the two years since forming the current lineup, the product of small-town Marion, NC, RKTT has found success, even taking their “southern swamp rock” overseas to places like Spain, Germany and France.
On the back of their 2012 album, “Don’t Shake My Family Tree,” RKTT was able to tour Europe and catch the eye of Jack Mascari, a veteran producer in North Carolina who’s worked with people like Warren Haynes, the longtime guitarist for The Allman Brothers and the frontman of Government Mule.
Mascari is producing the new album the band is working on and they plan on playing several songs from it at the shows this weekend. I asked Kelly the difference between playing in the States and playing overseas, and though he loves playing anywhere and everywhere, he has noticed stark differences.
“[In Europe], they come out in droves every time. We did 14 shows in 15 days and had 12 sellouts. These people had never heard of us before in their lives, but they knew we were coming [to their cities] and they learned every word. They were singing along to our songs.”
Just like in soccer matches, crowds will also make up chants. After one of their shows in Spain, a group of kids followed them to their tour bus chanting “Rory Kelly Ohhhhhh.” Kelly laughs recalling the experience. “It was kind of awkward but it was cool. I want to see our hometown crowds have that same kind of energy.”
Kelly recalls a French magazine writer who reviewed one of their shows and called them the best child of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Motorhead and Guns N’ Roses, something the band appreciated and won’t disagree with. They’ve been called southern sleaze for their penchant for southern roots rock and their hard edge sound that rocks. Beneath the muscle of their music is a band who works hard, touring every chance they get and relishing the opportunity to rock a crowd.
“There’s a lot of energy on that stage. We’re going to go up there and throw it down like we always do.”
Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. There is a $5 cover for those over 21 and $10 for those under on Saturday night. Sunday afternoon is Jekyll and Hyde’s biker rally which is open to the public for free. Jekyll and Hyde’s is located at 10 The Boulevard in Newnan. For more information call 770-683-5000."