At the State Theatre, another night of Volume One's Backstage Series. The band South Farwell, with guest The Klenz/Walk Jazz Sextet. And, just down a couple of blocks Eau Claire street, The Old Fashioneds playing at The Haymarket Grill. It was a great night to enjoy local talent.

I continue to be impressed with the band South Farwell. From the very beginning they were impressive, but I thought they relied very heavily on the vocalist Bill Boles, lead singer. Skilled though he is, I felt the rest of the band was somewhat subdued, given their talent I had witnessed in previous bands. Over time though, the South Farwell has added depth by letting some of that talent free. The backing solos done by brothers, Tim Coughlin on guitar and Joe Coughlin on sax, I think are what really propel South Farwell into a new plane.

After the show, down the street from the State Theater, we caught the third set of a new local band, The Old Fashioneds. One word hyphenated, ya'all, Out-standing. I think it tugged to me in particular because this was the music my dad listened to when I was growing up. Hank when there was only one Hank, Merl Haggard. Real country music. Granted, even in it's wildest days back then, it didn't have near the punch of this night's performance. It would have confused my father. Long hair and 'lectric git-tars. And energy. The Old Fashioneds played the wildest version of Folsum Prison Blues I have ever seen, and that was just what opened the third set.

• Check out the rest of the review (inclusing some video) over at the Freaks & Geeks blog, originating from somewhere in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
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