NUGGET! Guess what I found. If you’ve only heard of the name Hot Sauce Sandwich before then this is for you. If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing them live, well, I offer my take on these boys. First thing to know is that none of them are old enough to drink; legally anyway.
    I popped into a gig of theirs on the west side and was greeted by a well executed folsom prison blues with a touch of the funkies. I’m usually reserved with the conversation of music with the younger generation because when they start throwing names and bands out I usually smile and nod, clueless of a word they’re speaking. The Johnny Cash cover eased me out of that reservation. That and my best friend ever. Beer.
    Sitting with them on a set break the interview quickly strayed to how cool it is to be a teenager in a working band. I never hit the stage until 33. As I spewed my wisdom and knowledge I saw a lot of smiling and nodding. I guess it works both ways, huh? Zach Engh (lead vocals/guitar) seemed a bit more attentive but I’m not sure if he was listening or he’s just really good at pretending because he’s already heard it all from his father Darren, a man who has more experience on these subjects than Zach and I combined.
    First the band. Mostly covers for now with a few originals currently in the writing. This, if you know me, is a subject that I don’t hesitate with my opinion. I’ll give ‘em credit for being brand new and very talented at finding the soul of the songs. More importantly I found a lot of maturity in their choice of covers. Some Dead, Phish and what I thought I heard was Moe. Bird song by the Dead was a pleasant surprise and took me back about 18 years to the first time I went to see them at some amphitheater in Ohio I can’t remember the name of.
    If you don’t know it, you tube it; but the highlight of it is the requirement of everyone to be on point. No slacking in this one and being a bass player I was impressed with Jesse Harman and how in sync he and Cory Chavis (drums) are. Aj Fox on lead guitar smooths it out with humble and well timed skill as well. One aspect of a band that must be on point is the vocals. It’s the first thing everyone notices when it’s not done correctly. Zach’s voice has obvious Darren Engh training and that’s to say that Zach has obviously worked hard at his craft. With Aj bringing in the harmonies, this one gave me the goose bumps. For real.
    So the next time you’re driving down coastal hwy and see Hot Sauce Sandwich on a marquee, spike your brakes, do a u-turn across three lanes of traffic and park on the sidewalk, or do what I did and go to www.reverbnation.com <http://www.reverbnation.com> \hotsaucesandwich and check these boys out. Have a listen to Twists and Toots, their first original recording, and then go see them live. Bring your dancin’ shoes and pay no mind to the weirdo swinging the girls around. I’m relatively harmless.