Party music aims to entertain audience, Louisiana trio says

Dash Rip Rock has spent 25 years blending rockabilly, soul and country.

The Louisiana trio, on the road promoting its 11th studio album, Country Girlfriend , plays tonight at Sky City, 1157 Broad St.

Guitarist Bill Davis, the lone remaining founding member, simply describes the group's sound as party music.

"There were a lot of bands out there trying to reflect New Orleans funk and zydeco," he said in a recent telephone interview. "What we wanted to do was embrace that Louisiana idea of being fun, of being party music, but musically we were more attracted to the sounds coming out of Austin (Texas) and Athens (Ga.)."

Although several members have joined and left over the years, Mr. Davis said it has always seemed appropriate to retain the trio format.

"It's tailored for trios," he said. "The way we play, and the way that those who have played with us play, it's with, well, a certain busyness. We fill our area. I don't think I could play with a bigger band."

Mr. Davis said there was a time the band attempted to follow in the footsteps of the Georgia Satellites and Black Crowes and cash in on the early '90s Southern rock revival. He admits it might have been a mistake.

What has remained constant, he said, is the belief that an album should be more than a selection of songs and that any tune must thrive and survive in front of a live audience.

"Because when people look at you as an artist, give you attention, well, you are lucky," he said. "Success is having their ear and the first goal is entertaining the audience."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.