The Seatsniffers

Phew, can you smell that? No, we're not talking about the stench of decaying pabulum emanating from the Top 40 charts. This particular pleasing aroma wafting its way into our proboscis originates from across the pond, courtesy of the Seatsniffers, a foursome of Belgian hellcats who specialize in blending all genres of Americana into a seductive bouquet of musical bombast. Backed by thick-ass bass lines, groaning sax, and guitar work heavy on the distortion, these Flemish fiends spew forth a high-energy repertoire encompassing such genres as feverish rockabilly, gut-bustingly fierce surf riffs, and slashes of nasty and dirty blues. Front man Walter Broes tops off this raucous concoction with his viscous voice that's equal dollops of Elvis Presley sneer and George Jones twang. The 'sniffers are on one of their first trips to the States, after blowing out their native continent. But after hearing how they've successfully channeled such past masters as Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and the Stray Cats, it sounds like they're already familiar with our country (or at least our musical catalogues).