On Friday night I was let in on what felt like San Diego’s best-kept secret. And since I’m terrible at keeping secrets, I'm going to let you in on it too. Old Tiger is a new San Diego band with a lot of old soul, literally.
Just listen to the vocals of Dustin Lothspeich – who looks and maybe even acts a bit like Seth Rogen – they'll stop you in your tracks. Bass player Matt Phillips and drummer Eric Boone – also members of the San Diego rock/country band the High Rolling Loners – along with Lothspeich on guitar channel a Stax sound that plays proper homage to the legendary soul label.
In fact, the bandmates bonded while listening to famed Stax artists Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and William Bell.
You’ll be mesmerized by “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and “I’ve Got It Figured Out," just like the crowd at Brick by Brick on Friday night. I was there with 20 other stunned guests, all of us bonding in our shared secret. It was the band's debut performance and we all seemed to know that seeing Old Tiger in this same way won't happen again as word spreads. They play next at the Soda Bar on May 14th.
The band began playing together last August and quickly wrote seven songs which they recorded in Phillips' living room. They’re hoping to release an album later this year. The secret is out, now spread the soulful word.
