Trainwreck & Reverend Shelby Cobra

A small, but properly medicated crowd gathered by The Brick Works stage to see the evening’s opener: Chico-local whiskey-fueled songsmith Reverend Shelby Cobra. Shelby was a late addition to the bill, but the short notice did not seem to hinder his performance. Armed with only his acoustic guitar and his voice, the Reverend looked more suited to a small bar, but, to his credit, was not intimidated in a somewhat larger setting. Alternating between covers - such as Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” and the theme song from The Dukes of Hazzard - and originals from his upcoming album on Sacred Art Records, Shelby easily won over the crowd, many of whom seemed to be unfamiliar with the performer, and took his leave from the stage amid requests for one more song.
No one seemed to know what to expect from Trainwreck, but given the overwhelming reaction of the crowd, those in attendance were happy with what they got. Fully costumed, the members of this six-piece music / comedy act were completely immersed in their personas. Darryl Donald (aka JR Reed, or “Lee” of Tenacious D fame) brandished his shiny, triumphant mullet, shook his hips and sang wide-eyed throughout the entire set. Though his vocals could have been more upfront, he pulled off the part of hammy frontman perfectly. To his left stood the lushly wigged figure of Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass on acoustic guitar. In the role of Klip Calhoun, Gass handled most of the between-song banter, poking fun at the predominantly male crowd and introducing the band’s material. However, surprisingly enough, it was two of the group’s less prominent members who stole the show. In one of the performance’s funnier moments, keyboardist / vocalist Lance Branson was banished from the stage for passing out at his instrument and returned three minutes later to lead Trainwreck in a song he wrote during his brief time-out - a grandiose, eight-minute rock epic that would make Meatloaf envious. Also, electric guitarist Shreddy Kruegger lived up to his name, providing blazing leads.
Though this show wasn’t heavily attended, it was definitely a good time for both the crowd and the band, who delivered an enthusiastic performance despite the small turnout. If Trainwreck does pass through Chico again, expect a bigger crowd, but hopefully it won’t be such a sausage fest.
- James Barone
- Photo by Alyssa Starkey

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