The band with the funky name, Wigglestik, took the stage at Wha Bahs tonight. This is a guitar-heavy band that you will love if you’re a Jimi Hendrix fan. Not too many guitar players in Bowling Green tackle the Hendrix catalog, so they are kind of unique that way. A good-sized audience showed up to hear some heavy tunes and the band obliged. It was good to hear these tunes live for a change.

Hits like “The Wind Cries Mary”, “Little Wing”, and “Voodoo Child” were served up in generous portions throughout the evening. But Wigglestik is not a Jimi Hendrix tribute band per say. Basically, if it has a classic guitar solo in it, you might hear it at a Wigglestik show. So lead guitarist Bobby Baldwin (also of Skip Bond fame) also played Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way”, Eric Clapton’s “Before You Accuse Me”, a few ZZ Top classics, some Robin Trower…..well, you get the idea. Baldwin channels many of the guitar gods we all know and love, and he does it pretty straight. So the tunes sound pretty true to the originals. If you ever thought, like me, where Skip Bond ever got this guy, well you might figure that out at a Wigglestik show. He has the opportunity here to play the longer stuff and he takes full advantage of it. Baldwin also handles all of the vocals.

Just like the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Wigglestik is a power trio with an able rhythm section consisting of John Lippert on bass and Troy Mimms on drums. Any power trio worth a damn has to have a good, solid rhythm section to work. Baldwin plays with enough quiet space to let these guys through, and I found myself concentrating on the bass lines and drums a few times because of that, and enjoying what I heard. They need to be there but not overpower the guitar, and that was the case here. As a matter of fact, the volume in the room was loud enough to fit the genre but not overpowering to the point you felt your ears were being obliterated. A reviewer really appreciates that, given the number of shows one attends. 

So go check these guys out. You may be surprised and not surprised at the same time; surprised at the song selection and expertise of Baldwin, but not surprised at the arrangements, which should sound pretty familiar and bring back pleasant memories. 

Wigglestick played at Wha Bahs 5/14/2010.

Pennman’s Picks

• Local (Bowling Green)
  •  Every Sunday @ 6 – KY Blues Jam – Wha Bah’s
  • 6/2 – 6/30 – Concerts in the Park – Wednesdays at Noon – Fountain Sq Park, BG
  • 6/4 – Poison Karma – Three Brothers II, Thee Japanese Schoolgirls – Crow’s Nest
  • 6/5 – Fibromyalgia Benefit Shows – Tidballs and State Street Pub
  • 6/6 – Scottsville Conservatory Spring Recital – Allen County Intermediate School
  • 6/11 – New Fender Benders – 440 Main, Andy & the Rockers – Russellville Square 7 PM
  • 6/12 – Poison Karma – Woody’s Pub, Vet Jam – Glasgow
  • 6/19 – Canago/Thee Japanese Schoolgirls – Tidballs
  • 6/24 – Karmadons – Tidball’s
  • 6/29 – Thee Japanese Schoolgirls – Lava Lounge
  • 7/2 – Poison Karma – 440 Main
  • 7/9 – 8/6 –  Concerts in the Park – Fridays at 6:30 – Fountain Sq Park, BG
  • 7/9 – 8/6 –  Concerts in the Park – Fridays at 7:30 – Circus Sq Park, BG
  • 7/29 – Mellow Down Easy – Tidballs
  • 7/31 – Grateful Gathering – Wha Bahs (Outside) 3 – 9 PM (search for it on Facebook)
• Road Trips (Nashville)
  • Bridgestone Arena (Sommet Center) – Poison/Ratt – 7/10, Tom Petty/CS&N – 8/12.
  • Wildhorse Saloon – Puddle of Mudd – 6/4 (Grand re-opening), Ted Nugent – 7/14, Great White – 8/19 (Rescheduled)
  • Ryman Auditorium – Neil Young – 6/1 & 2, Imogen Heap – 6/5, Hole – 6/29, Crowded House – 8/2, Primus – 8/6, Heart – 8/17, Black Crowes – 9/12, Sheryl Crow – 10/1 

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman