Dixie Witch
One Bird, Two Stones (CD) 2003 Small Stone
If my (admittedly hazy) memory is working this morning, the first time I heard Texas' Dixie Witch was in St. Louis on the Southern Domination tour a couple of years ago. I was a happy convert at the time, blown away by their live presence, not to mention their excellent southern vibin' 'Into the Sun' EP. Yep, they were great all right, but when you're sharing a bill with Alabama Thunder Pussy, well…most bands with any sense exit with their tails between their legs and never look back. But not Dixie Witch, who have since honed their live show into an adrenalin-pumping, crushingly heavy behemoth that wins legions to their side with each tour. I should know, 'cause I saw them at SHOD 4, and they were jaw-droppingly good. I was standing next to a total stranger at the end of their set, and all we could do was look at each other and yell "DAMN!" There was a type of instant kinship in that look: we understood that we had just witnessed something truly amazing, although for all I know it was just another concert for those Texas road warriors. The 'Witch's new album, 'One Bird Two Stones', is a fantastic testament to what a couple of years can do for a band's development. They've really come a long way in their ability to develop varying moods instead of being content with simple bludgeoning; the songwriting has really made a great leap forward. Not to mention the instrumental chops: jeez those guys can PLAY! The album is full to the gills with memorable riffs, rolling back and forth from the drunken outlaw vibe of 'Wheel' to the 'Toys in the Attic' feel of 'More of a Woman' to the sonic piledriver 'Turbo Wing,' which ends with some kind of unexpected weird, metallic grinding noise. For my money this album is very well produced (by ex-Butthole Jeff Pinkus), with great tone and each instrument well defined in the mix. Curt Christiensen's bass carries the album articulately, Clay Mills' amazing guitar leads are played with deceptive ease, and Trini's drums are crisp and clean, his Mark Farner-esque vocals soaring over everything. Another fine release from Small Stone, this album will undoubtedly be in many folks' top ten for 2003. But be warned: as fine as this album is, it is not a substitute for seeing Dixie Witch live. If you want the Total Package, you'll do whatever it takes to see these guys in concert. Trust me on this one, just...trust me.	1. Get Busy 2. Going South 3. More of a Woman 4. Wheel 5. On My Way 6. Drifting Lady 7. Makes me Crazy 8. Turbo Wing 9. Here Today Gone Tomorrow 10. Traveler Approx. 49 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh
Smoke & Mirrors (CD) 2006 Small Stone
The last time I saw Dixie Witch they were playing to a packed room of inebriated stoner/doom fanatics, and the group had them in the palm of their sweaty hands. When their set was over, I looked to my right at a complete stranger who had a grin big enough to kill a clown. Both of us blurted out something like "Now THAT'S what music is all about!" simultaneously, then fell out laughing at our own goofy wisdom. Funny thing was, we were right. It's no secret that Dixie Witch excel on stage to a ridiculous extreme. They bludgeon with finesse and destroy with style, building a roaring wall of blues-based road metal firmly rooted south of the Mason-Dixon Line, enhanced by top-flight playing ability and excellent songwriting. As with most bands that sound their best on stage, their CDs have thus far been pale shadows of that hallowed live presence, although they serve well enough as bait to get folks out to the clubs. I won't say 'Smoke & Mirrors' solves all that, but it comes closer than any of their previous efforts, which is a very good thing indeed. Blessed with a stable line-up over the past six years, the group has honed their skills with seemingly endless touring, until their instrumental abilities gleam like wet chrome and their ensemble playing is airtight. 'Set the Speed' is an instant 'Witch classic, a riffin' headbanger deluxe with lyrics romanticizing the freedom of the road, a lyrical arena which Nebula staked out many moons ago, and one they'll now have to share with these Austin, Texas road dogs. 'Cause Dixie Witch walk it like they talk it, capiche? They know from roadside rest stops and broken down vans. 'Ballinger Cross' is one of their best songs ever, a towering, beautiful edifice of heavy blues metal, while 'Thursday' sucker punches you with some heavy BTO vibing. Dixie Witch may be punching and jabbing, but don't let 'em scare you away before the final 'Last Call,' a long, bluesy instro that would make a most effective show closer. Yeah, they can sound a little generic at times, but there's precious little of that on 'Smoke & Mirrors'. If you want to hear a Southern road metal band at the top of it's game, then plunk down the necessary for this bad boy. It'll hold you until their next live gig at a club near you. I'll see you there, right?	1. Set the Speed 2. Shoot the Moon 3. S.O.L. 4. Out in the Cold 5. Ballinger Cross 6. Getaway 7. Bridges 8. What You Want 9. Thursday 10. Gunfight 11. Last Call Approx. 44 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh