ballyhoo live sanford 2014

Ballyhoo! Good Vibes and Great People. Live Review | West End Trading Co. Sanford | August 19 2014

by • August 30, 2014

It was early Tuesday night and I was tucked away in a Sanford restaurant called The Breezeway. “God dammit, I left my place way too early.” I thought to myself. I had a good three hours to go before Ballyhoo! took the stage. I sat there slugging away a blue concoction called the “Hemingway.” It was a combination of Brugal Blanco Especial Rum, Blue Curaçao, lime, mint, simple syrup, and soda. In my opinion it’s a little too fruity for “Papa.”

The last time I was in Sanford was four or five months ago. I made the venture out here to paint with local artist Eric Matthews. He has created an art collective that meets at Little Fish Huge Pond once a month or so. We all sat outside the quirky little bar drinking beers and dousing canvas in paint. We welcomed drunken street dwellers to join in on the activities. An amazing sense of community surrounds Sanford and other than the fact that it’s a 45-minute drive from my neighborhood, I would spend more time there.

With summer coming to an end, there is nothing more I wanted to experience other than some good vibes and great people. This show would be my chance. A final goodbye to the carefree agenda I created for myself. Soon it will be back to school and staring out windows yet again, searching for the safe haven of summer.

West End Trading Co is the Scarlett Johansson of Sanford staples. Outside it’s quaint and reserved but inside there is a madness no one could have expected. The space seems to stretch from a large front bar spot to a smoke allowed stage in the back. Around 9:30pm  the crowd began to pick up. Skaters, surfers, stoners, and sexy women shuffled their ways in.

Fayuca was performing when I came in. Their guitarist/lead singer Gabo and drummer Rafael were making the best of an unfortunate situation – their bassist encountered a family emergency and had to return home. So, they improvised and played an acoustic set using their Cumbia and Reggae influences. Their single “Shoot It Up” features Jason DeVore of Authority Zero on vocals and it has a flow that seeps deep into your veins and takes hold.

Bumpin Uglies, the three piece band from Annapolis MD, opened with “Epic Fail.” Brandon Hardesty, the bands’ lead singer and guitarist wanted everyone closer to the stage. After an unexpected wireless guitar solo in the middle of the crowd everyone began to move forward. Bumpin Uglies’ bassist, Dave Wolf was celebrating his birthday that night. At a full scream the crowd sang him “Happy Birthday” and the quiet, reserved “Wolfie” thanked everyone then continued onto the next song.

Their drummer Bruce Givens has an energy and flair that could have only been built through heavy metal. There is no doubt in my mind that he couldn’t blow up any beat placed before him. With all the support and love in the venue Brandon said “I feel like I am Ponce de Leon and you are the fountain of youth.” They dedicated the show to “the weekday drinkers,” explaining “y’all keep us in business!”

ballyhoo live sanford 2014

Ballyhoo! came on about 10:40pm and they took off like a rocket right into “Evil Penguin.” The dancing began immediately and it didn’t stop until the show ended. They seamlessly switched from reggae based songs like “Saw Her Standing” to fast-paced progressive rock tunes like “The Getaway”. They recently acquired a new bass player from Sanford and it’s impossible to notice his newness with the group. The band has an incredible chemistry and some saintly stamina. Ballyhoo! never let the crowd quit throughout their performance.

When the show ended, the bands decided to join their fans in the bar for some drinks. I got some shots and beers for Bruce Givens and Wolfie of Bumpin Uglies. We sat around the back bar shooting the shit and discussing their time on tour. Afterwards we all jumped in their van and had a little session. They pondered what the tour would bring them in the future and how the days before them would unfold. I left that night shortly afterwards with my own days to come floating in my mind.

I caught photos of the evening unfolding. Follow me on instagram @amartcard


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