Grand Rapids’ uber-energetic “black-tie garage rockers” have uncorked a new album. But Jesse Ray and Josh Worsham also have taken time to offer Local Spins their playlist of favorite tunes.
Eclectic Mix: Jesse Ray and Josh Worsham rock the Local Spins Guest Playlist. (Photo/Anna Sink)
On Friday night, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish will take the cozy stage at Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill and power up what may be West Michigan’s most furious and explosive rock ‘n’ roll display as they unveil songs from their brand new studio album, “Dead Man Walking,” the best recording of their short but mercurial career.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Local Spins Guest Playlist: Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish
It’s shaping up to be a historic night, what with Hannah Rose & The GravesTones and Tom Hymn also on the bill.
But considering their raw, garage-rock and rockabilly-infused approach, singer-guitarist Jesse Ray and drummer Josh Worsham also have a surprising array of musical influences: Everything from The Rolling Stones and Gary Clark Jr. to local faves Brother Adams and Joe Hertler show up on their Local Spins Guest Playlist.
Check out what they’re listening to here, then check out the band tonight at the Tip Top; doors open at 8 p.m., admission is $5. Details online here. You can also listen to the recent radio podcast of the Local Spins on WYCE interview with the band online here, with an in-studio video below.
JESSE RAY & THE CAROLINA CATFISH: LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST
1. “Blues,” Brother Adams – This to me is the most powerful track on their debut album. The arrangement is amazing, and leaves you thinking what blues gets in my way. (Jesse Ray)
2. “Tell Your Heart Heads Up,” Mutemath – I chose this song because of their drummer Darren King. He is currently my biggest influence on my drumming, and I feel his talent is shown accurately in this track. (Josh Worsham)
3. “Psycho,” Nick Curran & The Lowlifes – Nick Curran is a legend in the rockabilly world, rest in peace. We share common songwriting ground in our mutually shared distaste for terrible girlfriends. (Jesse Ray)
4. “River Runs Dry,” Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers – This song is an example of how Joe Hertler has matured as a songwriter, as well as his band evolving stylistically. (Josh Worsham)
5. “Scratching Circles,” JD McPherson – JD McPherson was the first rockabilly musician that I saw live, and his feel-good swing about dancing with your lady on a weekend night has always been inspiring to me. I love to dance. (Jesse Ray)
6. “The Hand That Feeds,” The Crane Wives – This to me is the most relatable song on The Crane Wives’ new album. It is a great example of how a song can bring me back to a more melancholy period of my life before Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish. (Josh Worsham)
7. “Love You So,” The King Khan and BBQ Show – I love two-piece bands, and the chemistry between these two songwriters is profound. I can’t help but think of Josh and I recording in my bedroom when we first moved in together. (Jesse Ray)
8. “Consoler of the Lonely,” The Raconteurs – Some nights, Jesse and I are just in the mood to get rowdy. This song is a perfect example of musicians who also thoroughly enjoy getting extremely rowdy. (Josh Worsham)
9. “Don’t Owe You a Thang,” Gary Clark Jr. – Still on the topic of terrible girlfriends and getting rowdy, I really love the blues, but it can be self-righteous, effortless and even a little mean. (Jesse Ray)
10. “Sympathy For The Devil,” The Rolling Stones – What great musician doesn’t respect The Rolling Stones. Satires are always in style. (Josh Worsham)
JESSE RAY & THE CAROLINA CATFISH: THE LOCAL SPINS GUEST PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY
VIDEO: Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish, “Dead Man Walking” (for Local Spins on WYCE)
Copyright 2015, Spins on Music LLC
