INSIGHT Magazine September 2014 | Page 26

According to McPherson, the new album takes a harder edge than previous releases, thanks in part to guitarist Devin Williams, an area shredder known for metal bands like new act VEDA, who makes his first studio appearance with the band on the upcoming album. “He’s bringing a harder edge to the band that I think we need,” said McPherson, explaining that the new songs are closer in sound to the band’s early punk rock leanings. “You’re definitely going to know it’s McPherson Struts, but we’ve got a couple of things up our sleeve that people will find surprising.” The band is known for surprises and theatrics — McPherson plays his drums standing up while he sings, and bassist Jeff Freeman plays a right-handed bass upside down to accommodate his lefthandedness, à la Jimi Hendrix — which keep the shows entertaining and the music unpredictable, a little bit foul and a whole lot of fun. “We try to make it a break from the reality of your day,” said McPherson. “There’s too much bulls**t in the world to listen to bulls**t at a McPherson Struts show.” ✽ 9/5 9/19 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/17 10/18 10/31 FIRST FRIDAY FEST. (B.B&T. Mainstage) - Gadsden AL. THE HIDEAWAY - Johnson City TN. THE ODDITORIUM - Ashville NC. HELL ON WHEELS FE ST. (Garage 71 Mainstage) - Buford GA. 1048 JAZZ AND BLUES CLUB Montgomery AL. THE PLUGHOUSE - Dothan AL. COASTERS - Fort Walton Beach FL. THE PEERLESS (Hillbilly Halloween Ball) - Anniston AL. For continuous updates on the band’s shows, visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/McPherson-Struts/128252018529. Head on over to reverbnation.com/mcphersonstruts to hear the band’s music. 26 September 2014 INSIGHT