How black can you make it?

Even if you haven't actually seen them play live, you probably know Black Sarah.  Bill Warden, Carey Balch, and Cain Blanchard have been part and parcel of the Knoxville rock scene for years.  Warden (guitar & vocals), late of Newport and Picks & Lighters, fronts the elusive slow-southern group New Madrid, and plays sporadic solo shows.  Balch is the timekeeper for New Brutalism and Lobster Lobster Lobster, and has lent his hands to now-defunct groups Selten Ubel and Fangs.  Bassist Cain Blanchard is also in New Madrid, as well as Big Bad Oven, It Is A Code, and Haggus.Speaking with Warden in their practice space, there was some confusion regarding how long they've been a band.  “Cain'll know,” Warden says as he hears the familiar sound of Blanchard's bike bouncing down the stairs. “Then againhe called me today and didn't even remember it was my birthday.”

“Cain, when did we start playing?” asks Warden, as Blanchard parks his bike. “Spring of '04,” replies Blanchard, as if he was waiting for the question. He pulls a bottle-shaped brown bag from his pannier, handing it to Warden and adding, “Happy birthday.”

In a modern musical environment chock-full of bands jumping on the power trio bandwagon, Black Sarah continues to set themselves apart.  Make no mistake — their's is a full-on rock sound.  But don't be fooled into pairing them with other bands in the genre. The difference is in the details. Their live sound is no less than white-hot. Both Warden and Blanchard cut imposing figures, standing in front of tube-driven amps almost as tall as their long frames. Balch's drumming style is both wild and calculated.  He recently replaced his aluminum bass drum with a larger wooden shell, enhancing a sound already heavy with punch.  Together, these three craft songs that are so much more than fist-pumping jams. Warden's playing is unique, often addictive. He swings lazily at the strings, hovering just behind the beat. The resulting patterns are hypnotic.  Blanchard and Balch travel together, expertly guiding the tunes through what might at times become a 20-minute dirge on stage.

“Black Sarah is a gypsy saint,” remarks Warden on the group's name. “Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer…  also known as Sarah-la-Kali… you can Google it. Plus, black and rock and roll just go together.”

Warden is an avid collector of practice space recordings. One can rarely walk through the room without stepping around carefully placed stands and microphones. He's put together an 80- minute-plus recording that is a phenomenal document of the band's work over the last few years. Committed to 4-track ¼ inch tape, it is equal parts lo and hi fidelity. Guest vocals from Lou Vesser (ex-Newport, currently New Madrid) stand out against the band's familiar wall of sound.  If you catch Bill in his usual late-night spot behind the bar at the Pilot Light, slide him a good tip and ask for a copy of the pared down 60 minute version — it's well worth it. If you're lucky, he'll include a recent disc containing two extended jams reminiscent of an early ‘70s Miles Davis group without the keys and horn.

As for current and future plans, Warden says they'll travel up to Bloomington, Ind. in August for a Whisk-Hutzel showcase gig and pepper in local performances as usual.  With everyone involved in other projects (and jobs), it's not so easy to pick up and tour.  For the time being, see them live locally and get your hands on those recordings. Make sure to turn them up as loud as you can stand it.

Editor's Note: Matt Silvey and Cain Blanchard are the men behind local record label Laboratory Standard Recordings.

Black Sarah w/ Woman and Psychic Baos
Friday, July 13
Pilot Light (106 E. Jackson Ave.) / 9 p.m. / $5