Sometimes you don’t realize something is missing until it reveals itself to you. I recently opened up an email from Shayne Miel, whom I have known for years while playing in Durham. Attached to the email was a file containing songs from his new band, Meat & Three — a gift that I did not expect to arrive on my digital doorstep.
If you are not familiar with the phrase “meat and three,” it is a nod to the Southern tradition of loading up a plate at home or, more often, in a restaurant with one type of meat and three sides, such as cornbread, vegetables, slaws, or other complementary dishes. A classic Southern plate that puts smiles on faces and fills bellies with joy.
Similarly, Meat & Three (the band) instantly put a smile on my face and brought joy to my ears.
“Lockerbie”, the first song on the demos, is a wonderful delivery of a whitewash of sound punctuated with the razor-like precision that immediately brought Fugazi to mind. Loud, precise, and catchy, it comes on quickly, laying down a guitar groove that is brought to a halt by a tight drum fill, followed by silence, and then the song explodes!
The vocals on “Lockerbie” push the song along like a jet engine on takeoff. The drums and words find a syncopation that allows each to be a driving force of this song. The guitar, so chunky and delicious, provides the meat that “Lockerbie” is built around.
The tight snare and bass drum that kick off “Mourning Dove” lead you into an open guitar line, picking clean and lean notes until the vocals kick in and distortion fills the air. Ever ride a bike, late at night after a couple of beers, staring at empty streets, tall buildings, and sparkling street lights? This is the song you want playing, blasting from speakers mounted on the rooftops. Powerfully relaxed with a beautiful energy that holds the song together.
“Levvis” fades in with a fuzzy bass intro and climbing guitar lines. It’s a song that may make you want to pull on a pair of tattered jeans, cut off jean jacket (with patches, of course), and walk the cityscape with a swagger that brings 70’s metal back into popularity. This song is an instrumental, which means you can scream whatever lyrics come to mind over this fantastic track.
Overall, I love the production quality of these songs. Nick Peterson, who has a long list of amazing bands he has worked with, captured beautiful recordings. I can feel the space of the room where the recording was made. The drums, guitar, bass and vocals are not drenched in effects; they hold their own and highlight the talent of each member of the band.
Unlike a plate of traditional meat and three, it is unclear who the star of the show is. The recording and songs are so well balanced, highlighting each instrument and vocals that you know you are listening to a true band, not just a single individual’s composition.
Christine Fantini of The Wigg Report heard these tracks and immediately said, “Meat & Three is a great reminder that quality loud music is still being made in Durham.”
Until a few weeks ago, I knew nothing of Meat & Three, but now I know how much I have been missing this sound filling the airwaves.
Leave a Reply