Chattanooga Pulse

They tell you that life isn’t fair / Like it justifies things that they do /
That’s not good enough for me / Is it good enough for you?
— “Good Enough” (Loaded, 2008)

The lyrics to “Good Enough”, The Waybacks’ fourth song on their new LP Loaded, seem to fit this band perfectly. Often pigeonholed into the category of bluegrass, the four members of The Waybacks are all independently multi-talented musicians in their own right. Bluegrass, while certainly an influential genre for the group, just simply isn’t enough to describe The Waybacks’ style. For lack of a better name, they play in a genre of music known as Americana.

Singer-songwriter-fiddler Warren Hood is the newest member of the group. He explains that Americana “means a blend of American music styles. It’s when you don’t know what to call it [the music]. It’s mostly original music based out of idioms; for us that can be playing Chick Correa and Grateful Dead in the same set.”
And that’s what they do. Depending on their performance venue, The Waybacks will pull any number of proverbial musical rabbits out of their hats. They have amassed a staggering arsenal of songs in their repertoire, ranging from Memphis soul, honky-tonk, and Parisian swing to classical music, bluegrass, and pop/rock. Hood attributes part of the band’s sound to years of playing on festival circuits.

“The festivals are my favorite part of what we do,” Hood enthuses. “They’re a chance to see new bands that turn you in a new direction. You see friends—you sit in on their set and they sit in on yours; a lot of players learn how to play in these campfire jams at festivals. I once found myself sitting in a hotel room jamming all night with Bella Fleck!”

After ten years of playing festival circuits, the band is enjoying the newfound freedom of launching their first album of entirely original material. Frontman James Nash and Hood penned the music and lyrics for the songs on Loaded.

“This band is the first full-time touring band I’ve been in where I’m also the front guy and writing,” says Hood. “I’ve also toured as a backup musician; I wasn’t under pressure to write and sing. It’s been a learning experience of how to conduct a show and having the constant pressure to have new material ready. I’m 26—the youngest by far—so I’m also watching the other guys to see how they deal with that.”

Loaded is a wealth of Americana. Simple storytelling lyrics combined with fierce virtuoso instrumentals in a variety of styles make it possible for any listener to find a song they like. Apparently, this kind of rule-breaking is what these musicians strive for.

“With iTunes and the Internet, lots more people are listening to a lot of different music. It’s almost expected that you can play every genre if you want to make a living out of it,” explains Hood.

The Waybacks are making a living out of their music, and, though it may not be what some would call success, they feel they are on the right track.
“Bands go on different circuits,” Hood says. “There are people who are going platinum, who have to go all-or-nothing to make that kind of success. We know we’re not going platinum, but we’re in the position to have complete artistic freedom to do what we want enough to sustain our lifestyles.
“The ultimate goal is to be happy, right? Find what it is that makes you happy, do that a lot and you are successful.”

The Waybacks measure their success with the enthusiasm of each audience. What is the one predictable element in a live show? “Unpredictability,” Hood insists. From music that is appropriate for an Irish pub to the Grand Ole Opry to an outdoor folk festival to a late-night members-only jazz club, The Waybacks change their lineup to suit the crowd, guaranteeing that a good time will be had by all.

“We play in venues from bars to theatres and backyards and everything in between,” says Hood. “A lot of time and thought goes into order of songs we play—dictating when the audience is going to cry, to laugh, to dance—and then we try to save something for the end.” Hood laughs. “It’s a party and we’re controlling the party. Good times will be had. Come to a show and find out!”

That’s good enough for me.

The Waybacks
$15
8 p.m.
Friday, October 9
Barking Legs, 1307 Dodds Ave.
(423) 624-5347. www.barkinglegs.org