the 77s - live review by Analog Mutant Magazine

Review of the 77's (by Analog Mutant Magazine, 1-27-07)

Analog Mutant received an invite for Saturday night at the Elbow Room in downtown Ypsilanti, where the Heinrich-White art exhibit "What is Art?" was being held. This was one of a series of ongoing monthly exhibits Heinrich-White has been presenting in Ypsi. The exhibits feature works from several local artists using various mediums of expression, and some of the best live music the area has to offer.

the Bitter Inks headlined the show, supported by Todd Deatherage, Perhapsy, Tone & Niche, and the Low Hello.... all very talented local acts. But the lone stand out band was Ypsi's own the 77's, a 3 man rock-a-billy/punk influenced garage behemoth soundtrack to your worst fucking hangover ever.

The band's signature sound, "garage-a-billy blooze", comes from the custom made "bariphonic" guitar that frontman KK Dirty Money drop-tunes several steps. The lower tuning is what gives them their sludgy, lumbering grace; reminiscent of a bulldozer driven by a Prozac fiend hell-bent on eluding the authorities. Growling and rumbly guitar and staccato rhythms of unbridled belligerence that make you wanna shake your ass are abundant all over the 77s self-titled demo, as evidenced on the opening track "Nothing Hurts Like...". The rust-tinged ethereal sound of track #3 "You Owe Me Money" brings to mind Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, while the rock-n-roll anthem "Never Stop Drinking" shows it's influences from The Cramps proudly.

In fact, a song from The Cramps (New Kind of Kick) made its way into the set list at the show Saturday, which to the credit of the music scene in Ypsi, elicited an energetic response from the crowd. People dancing in front of the stage and several drinks spilling onto the floor quickly amped up the band's energy as they bullied their way through the setlist. As a band the 77's have a certain authenticity, a tangible integrity to their sound that makes you believe that they love what they're doing, and that they mean it sincerely. And when KK Dirty Money leans full on into the mic on their cover of "Folsom Prison Blues" to roar out "..I shot a man in Ypsi!", you get the impression that he at least considered doing so.

When the 77's come to your favorite local venue, make sure to get out and show them a little love and support for what they are doing. you can find them at: http://www.myspace.com/lasdrogas

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KKipp

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