Fortunately, all that bullshit in 2020, about how this was the “new normal,” was just that. Every table inside and outside the Hog was packed. The small space in front of the stage was packed like a New York subway car during rush hour. People were hugging and kissing and there wasn’t a mask in site. People were like…pandemic? What pandemic?
People were hugging and kissing and there wasn’t a mask in site. People were like…pandemic? What pandemic?
I caught The Pour for a live show last May, 2021, but had to bail early. The house was packed then, as it was last Friday. This time, with my decks cleared for action, I arrived just as the band dove in to the first set.
Left to right: Jesse Howerton, Nate Barkdull on the drums, Jeremy Whitesides on guitar and Matt Calder on bass/lead vocals.
The Pour are one of those bands whose live shows, In my humble opinion, are better than their studio recordings. Not that their studio work is less than stellar, but their live shows are one of the best around. The band’s sound trends towards jam band, progressive funk and they have amazing technical skills. Yet in their writing and live performance, they don’t overwhelm the listener with unnecessary notes. Each note seems to have a purpose.
Even with two fingers of his right hand in a soft cast, Matt Calder’s skill was impressive: playing complex bass melodies while effortlessly handling the lead vocals. Calder makes a lot of sounds for one guy—like the mysterious orange box he sometimes attaches to his bass, that lets him add percussive sounds to the mix. I need to investigate that further.
Even with two fingers of his right hand in a soft cast, Matt Calder was impressive…”
While Calder may tap out a few percussive sounds, drummer Nate Barkdull handles 99.99% of the percussion. Calder kind of reminds me of Stewart Copeland—not in style, per se, but his timing accuracy and crisp cymbal play cuts through everything and provides an amazing canvas for the rest of the band to paint their sound.
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Keyboardist Jesse Howerton seems to riff spontaneously. When you watch him play, it’s almost like you can see his eyes light up when he gets an idea, and then out comes the music. It’s a joy to watch.
Matt Calder and his mysterious orange box.
Last but not least is guitarist Jeremy Whitesides, who stays in the background on rhythm—adding just enough volume and notes to provide a subtle texture to the sound. The next thing you know, he explodes with a lead, or jumps into a note-for-note riff session with Caldwell or Howerton. This note-for-note play—in my opinion—is a signature sound of the band.
The Show
The band played two long sets that included some of my favorites—like Vitamin D and She’s Slippery—as well as some new material and a couple covers—Pink Floyd’s Pigs and a version of The English Beat’s Mirror In The Bathroom.
At the end of their fist set, they played my personal favorite—Long Live The Con Man. I first heard the song on Youtube, from a live performance recorded at The Cabin, in Park City, Utah. Supporting my earlier statement, I confirmed that I prefer the live version of this song over the studio recording. The anticipation that builds through the song, and the energy of it all, just blows me away.
The stage at the Hog Wallow is one of the most intimate in Salt Lake. The band is pretty much right in your face.
The stage at the Hog Wallow is one of the most intimate in Salt Lake. It’s small and the band is pretty much right in your face. In fact, there wasn’t enough room for guest trumpet player Dave Terrin, who who literally played from the dance floor. The stage may be small, the sound is huge and the Hog Wallow sound tech does a great job.
As the second set started, I got caught in the typical bum-rush-to-the-front. You know…when slightly inebriated 20-somethings, apparently seeking out their best friends, bounce and bump their way to the foot of the stage. It didn’t take long until I was jostled back a few rows. But it was all good and all part of a great night of music. I got my photos and was able to escape with my dignity.
Jeremy Whitesides and Nate Barkdull
I caught up with Whitesides a couple days later, who hinted a new album may be in the works. No details were provided but, the band did seem to be playing a good amount of new material. Whitesides also mentioned an upcoming show at Soundwell. The date has yet to be set, but The Bard Recommends calendar will definitely post the info when it is available. Bookmark our calendar page if you want a curated list of live events.
Seeing The Pour live is something everyone who lives or visits Salt Lake City needs to experience—kind of like climbing Mount Olympus, or visiting Antelope Island. You just haven’t experienced Northern Utah until you do.
Follow The Pour on Facebook and Instagram, listen to The Pour on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play, and learn more about the band at thepourband.com.
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