Home of the Live Music Calendar Follow STLBlues on Twitter Follow STLBlues on Facebook Home of the Live Music Calendar Live Music Is Better, Book It Here!! Live music is better, book yours now!
Nick Moss and the Fliptops Shake It Up At BB's
By Shannon

 Nick Moss and the Fliptops from Chicago played BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups on Sunday, January 11. There was a sparse crowd of around 30 people when I arrived around 9:30 pm. The fans that were there however seemed to really enjoy the deep Chicago blues beats. The band was right on queue and played as if there were a packed house from their fast shuffles to the deep, soulful Chicago sounds. Nick Moss (the guitarist) started playing (originally as a bassist) at the age of 18 with Buddy Scott and the Rib Tips. Shortly after that at the age of 20, Moss was playing with guitarist Jimmy Dawkins. By his mid-twenties, he was playing with the late Jimmy Rogers. Nick mentioned that he has also performed with such legends as Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Pinetop Perkins. He also stated that one of his most memorable blues experiences was performing live at the W.C. Handy Awards. Some of his musical influences include Freddie King, Jimmy Rogers, and James Cotton.

Nick Moss at BB's
Nick Moss at BB's
Nick Moss at BB's
Nick Moss at BB's

The band on this particular evening was comprised of an ex Anson Funderberg and the Rockets bass player, the drummer, which Nick has been with for over five years, and a phenomenal piano player. Kate Moss, who is Nick's wife, usually has the duties of playing bass, but she is on leave right now due to pregnancy. Joe Moss, who is Nick's brother, also has a Chicago blues following and tours regularly around the Chicago blues circuit. When asked about the most important part of the band, Moss stated that playing what you feel and not playing for yourself or "overplaying" is the key ingredient to a successful band.

Nick Moss at BB's
Nick Moss at BB's
Nick Moss at BB's
Nick Moss at BB's

The band must be doing something right since their second release "Got a New Plan" was nominated for a 2003 W.C. Handy Blues Award. The band has two other releases, "First Offense" and their newest, "Count Your Blessings". They tour around 200 dates per year and have an extensive following in and around the Chicago area. From St. Louis, the band is headed back home to do some gigs around town. Nick said he enjoyed playing BB's due to the great acoustics of the building and that we seem to have some very loyal blues fans. Local artists John Wolf (trombone) and Sharon Foehner (bass) sat in with the band during the second and third sets of the evening. All in all, it sounded excellent! My only regret of the evening was that I didn't pick up another one of the bands CDs! You can learn more about Nick Moss and the Fliptops by visiting www.nickmoss.com.


      
Enjoy our Blues reviews
STLBlues CD Reviews :: By band/artist first name
St. Louis based bands & musicians
More National Bands
A-B
C-H
I-K
L-N
O-R
S-T
 Live Music Calendar | Send Blues News | © STLBlues 2000 | Privacy Policy