Pack up the plantation

They threw all their stuff out on the front lawn, put up a sign saying “Everything must go!,” sold what they could, kicked the rest to the curb, and hit the road.

No, this is not a paraphrased edition of the opening pages of a John Steinbeck novel. It is the God’s honest truth concerning the origins of the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band.

Well, the band isn’t all that damn big. There’s just the three of them — the Reverend himself, his wife, Breezy Peyton, and brother Jayme Peyton. Since lighting out from the family homestead in rural Indiana three years ago, the roots music trio has been logging some 250 shows a year, playing everywhere from hole-in-the-wall punk-rock clubs to folk and bluegrass festivals, and even serving time as opening act on a Floggin Molly tour, at the behest of that band’s members.

I’d think twice if you plan on referring to the group as just another alt-country act within earshot of the rather imposing figure of the reverend, if I were you. These folks don’t seem to be the type to put on big-city airs. In fact, all the Peytons are doing is offering their take on the country-blues they grew up loving, studying, living and learning how to play. Picture Son House writing songs about what it’s like living today, with a touch less fire and brimstone and a bit more self-effacing humor.

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is on the road yet again, this time in support of the rib-ticklingly titled new LP “The Whole Fam Damnily.” The trio performs at 7 p. m. Monday inside the 9th Ward, Babeville. Our own psychobilly merchants the Irving Klaws will share the bill. Get your tickets at Babeville, or through Tickets.com.

Gig picks

This week is a feast for music lovers, particularly the sort who are able to pull off going out on several successive weeknights without grumbling too much when it comes time to get up for work the next morning.

Clubland verily explodes with activity this week. Wednesday finds the Black Dahlia Murder headlining a bill inside the recently renovated Mohawk Place. Rounding out the roster for the show — which is an early one, kicking off at 6 p. m. — will be Skeletonwitch, Toxic Holocaust and Trap Them.

Across town, on Amherst Street, the Sportsmen’s Tavern plays host to the Coal Men, beginning at 7 p. m.

On Thursday, the Town Ballroom offers up another mini-fest of a bill, this one beneath the “Alternative Press Tour” moniker. Mayday Parade, Set Your Goals, The Academy Is..., the Second Handshake and You Me At Six will perform. The all-ages show starts at 6 p. m., and boasts a reasonable ticket price of $15 per head.

At 6 p. m. Thursday, the action moves back to Mohawk Place, where the “Ska Is Dead Tour” convenes with a bill showcasing The Toasters, Mustard Plug, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Deals Gone Bad.

If you you dig skate-punk, board it on over for a 6 p. m. show next Friday in Xtreme Wheels, where Breathe Carolina, Cash Cash, Fight Fair, Kill Paradise and Stephen Jerzak will team up.