Ole Mossy Face whips out its big 12"

Originally published November 10, 2005

by Jedd Beaudoin
jbeaudoin@f5wichita.com

HEAR IT
Who: The Ants, Ole Mossy Face
When: Saturday, Nov. 12
How much: $3
Where: The Anchor, 1109 E. Douglas

"I heard a rumor that there may be some legal work going on," said Ole Mossy Face's Casey Sanders, about Chinese Democracy, his group's current split release with Lawrence's The Ants. The vinyl-only outing takes its name from an oft-delayed fourth full-length Guns 'n' Roses album and Sanders doesn't deny that he and his pal (and Ants founder) Chad Bryan took delight in teasing W. Axl Rose by recording the 12" in Aug. 2004 and releasing it in June 2005, while Rose has been working on his own Chinese Democracy since at least late 1999. "Personally, it's my ultimate goal to get sued by GNR," Sanders continued, "and maybe we'd win and have enough money to make our next album. We'd have to call it Spaghetti Incident II with covers of our own songs."

Speaking with Sanders it becomes clear that he and his friend Chad Bryan share more than 12" of vinyl. They share a sometimes subtle, sometimes not wit, vast imaginations and a passion for writing above-average pop songs and melding elements of Americana with something totally other to create a largely indescribable but fully satisfying musical amalgamation that you just gotta experience for yourself. Moreover, the two bands have toured together and Vickery and Sanders have even served as worker Ants.

Formed by Sanders and Vickery roughly five years ago Ole Mossy Face eventually grew into a full-fledged band. Vickery's lap steel playing is accentuated by authentic rock/country beats (think of the Rolling Stones after Mick and Keef got to know Gram Parsons) from Sanders' drums which are further accentuated by Derek Wolfe's guitar playing, which is further accentuated by you get the idea. OMF sounds big but not too big and smart but not too smart and at times sad but not too sad and a little bit country but not so much so that it loses touch with rock 'n' roll.

And it's not The Ants II. Not even close.

"Chad's songs are unique and creative, kind of avant garde in their own way. He uses wild time signatures," Sanders observed. "But I think the thing that makes Chinese Democracy congruent is that Mason and I played on those Ants songs as well. I love Chad's songs."

While Nashville will perhaps forever remain a city better known for its country and western than its rock 'n' roll, there is hope for rebel forces. Bands such as OMF, The Clutters, Carter Administration and De Novo Dahl have helped in the cause and are only a few pieces of a larger puzzle. And sometimes it is a puzzle. "There's no bar here, there's not way to gauge what you're doing because there's so much going on, you just have to get in there and do what you do," he said.

Although OMF's roadwork has been somewhat limited the group has done more than its share of living. There was the Baltimore Hotel Incident where a group of crack-addled hookers and business types "got nasty" in the lobby, the proceeded to get into various states of undress with the band present on the elevator. There was the Bambi Incident in which the band killed a deer with its touring vehicle on some such highway and then there are lost late-night rap sessions when Sanders and Co. get Bryan "going" on the Civil War and John Brown and the odd bout where the bands share a song or two on the stage.

"We play each others' songs and try to keep it all in the family," he said.

As for GNR's Chinese Democracy Sanders isn't holding his breath that it measures up to Appetite For Destruction. "I think that there's going to be one good radio song on there but I think that our shit is going to blow it away," he said, "because we're in our prime right now and Axl's all washed up with his braids and wearing athletic jerseys. And I'll bet you $100 right now that Guns 'n' Roses never comes out with that record."

We'll wait and see on that, in the meantime we/you/I can catch Ole Mossy Face and The Ants at The Anchor 1109 E. Douglas on Saturday, Nov. 11 for a mere $3. Chinese Democracy will also be available for purchase.

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