When I got home from the American Slang show in the early morning hours, I immediately texted and messaged about 5 people and said “I just witnessed greatness.” Only one person was still awake, my sister, and I told her all about the amazing show I’d just seen.
One bio for American Slang reads in-part:
American Slang is a rapidly rising teenage rock band based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They have quickly gained a reputation for their electrifying on stage performances and are consistently packing out rooms throughout the state and moving beyond. It’s rare to come across a generational talent. American Slang has 5 of them.
In this case, electrifying and generational are understated adjectives.
American Slang is a five piece rock band that consists of vocalist Miller Wilke, bassist Siggy West, drummer Boston Davis, and guitarists JC Farmer and Preston Reeves, and based on what I saw, if they stay on track, they are absolutely going to be famous.
Their first original single, Gypsy Life, shows songwriting maturity far beyond their years, brought to life with help from industry players like Cody Hanson of Hinder and Dwight Hamlin of the Wight Lighters.
The show I attended had everything you’d expect from a rock & roll spectacle. Every member of American Slang puts on a show from the first note to the last. Singer Miller Wilke wanders the stage with Bono-esque wonder, staring into the lights as if he’s peering into the future to see the people in the back row of a stadium where they’ll be playing a year from now.
Guitarists JC Farmer and Preston Reeves are each amazing musicians and either one of them could carry a band with their incendiary playing. The collection of guitars they brought with them is also impressive and something to see for axe-heads.
Left-handed Bassist Siggy West was a frenetic image during the show, playing a right-handed BC Rich upside down and moving all over the stage. Siggy might be this band’s secret weapon, too. His soundcheck bass performance made me say “Whoa,” but his performance onstage is sensible; to service the song.
Drummer Boston Davis is a rock solid rock drummer with a bombastic bent, but he’s hard to capture on camera behind his cymbals and four wild bandmates on an intimate stage. I heard a little Bonham in his playing and he also gave me a little Sib Hashian (Boston) vibe during the performance.
American Slang’s songwriting and performance constitute nascent genius that anyone can hear and see, but those paying attention at a show might notice some other things, too. American Slang is a professional band, that runs like a business.
Everyone knows their place and hits their spot. Between songs, when a guitar with a different tuning is necessary, JC and Preston have their replacements ready and they noticeably hurry to get their alternate guitars plugged-in, to minimize downtime between songs and keep the audience engaged. Combine their professionalism with their talent and I feel comfortable saying American Slang is on their way to the top.
I stood around after the show for a little while last night, looking at the modest crowd, and wondering how many appreciated what we had just seen. The last time I saw a young band that gave me the impression I got from American Slang, it was Greta Van Fleet, who had just secured the opening act slot for Shinedown, and the rest is history.
I’m expecting the same trajectory for American Slang.
All photos by the author, © FallstownFUSE.com
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Hopefully I can see these guys sometime! Great article!