One the night of Oct. 22, a fresh mix of fine musicians took the grand 6-by-8-foot stage at Frederick's Music Lounge. This newly formed band is Bad Folk. Using a banjo, pedal steel guitar and mandolin, one would expect anything from bluegrass to honkey-tonkin'. Bluegrass it was not, honkey-tonkin' maybe a bit more, but in an effort to keep from labeling (which always seems to limit a band's sound), we'll call it adjunct country. While the manor in which the lyrics were barked out could be considered folk, Bad Folk played country sounding music with a little something else.

Bad Folk's members are note unfamiliar to St. Louis audiences. Thier lead singer, Tim Rakel (also in the band names Tim Rakel and the Puppet Wranglers), played banjo. There wasn't much pikcing coming out of him and he often took advantage of the instrument's open tuning, which allowed him to strum without using his left hand on the frets. His attention focused on the lyrics he was singing, which were mostly original, delivered with emotion and written in a manor more country than the sound that accompanied them.

Troy Howard played bass and was low-key throughout the show, but seemed to be having a good time. On the other side of the stage was Joey Gavin. He mainly played pdeal steel and occasionally remained seated and played the mandolin. Gavin is a talented musician who also plays with the band Rowdy Cum Lowdys. He hit some great runs on the steel as well as the mandolin. Smiling all the while was drummer Anne Tkach. Having received much praise for her bass guitar in her other band, Nadine, she was cracking the skins for Bad Folk. She played right on time for most of the night. The second to last song was a long jam and she slowed more than once and knew it. With a look of half exhaustion she kept banging away and made fun out of it. Once I believe she shouted, "I can't do it," and then starting laughing.

Yes, a couple of times the drummer was too slow. Yes, the singer had never had voice lessons. Yes, the band has not played out that often. But this band and the audience were having fun and it showed. There is something of a paradox in the music world that can surface between maturing musicians and audiences. Audiences want a talented band that puts on an energetic show and sounds perfect. Bands must grow and gain a niche before they become refined and polished. Everyone desires a show without flaws and a delivery laced with power anad emotion. This can happen, but so rarely. Bad Folk has talented and accomplished musicians, they have emotion and respect for music, but they exhibited error and an unpolished image that made thier show as enjoyable as any show on a Wednesday night for fewer than five bucks.

Sloppy music can be good music, too. When a band starts off, it is emotion and dedication to the love of what they are doing that propels it, not a desire to produce a flawless show. Slop gave Ronnie Wood and Kieth Richards an image. It can bring the audience closer to the band. Bad Folk knows they're a little rough, but what are they going to do? Play, play, play. They weren't concerned about having 15 effects pedals for every instrument; they just had a few things to say and were glad a few people showed up. Isn't that what a Wednesday night should be like?
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There are a few other articles printed about us, but I haven't gotten them up here yet.