Deadboy and the Elephantmen

Listening to the up-tempo early-'70s garage reverb of Deadboy and the Elephantmen, it's hard to reconcile that lead vocalist/guitarist Dax Riggs is the same metal dude who once fronted the influential Southern-fried sludge outfit Acid Bath. Riggs's musical ardor has developed substantially beyond the swampy drone of his past endeavors; We Are Night Sky, his act's Fat Possum debut, has a distinct throwback sound that's more commercially viable than anything that ever emerged from the murky depths of the Acid Bath catalogue. Deadboy, however, doesn't need to dog-paddle up the mainstream. Riggs, drummer Tessie Brunet and new recruit bassist Alex Bergeron would do just fine playing to select underground pools of fans, and they'd probably be thrilled to maintain that kind of choice following. Often compared to the White Stripes, Deadboy may not ever trump that act musically or in popularity, but who needs that pressure anyway? With Acid Bath records still making the rounds, Riggs has his hands full just trying to outdo himself.