Cowboy Mouth @ Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

Holy Cow! It’s been a minute since I’ve documented some live rock & roll! Cowboy Mouth in St. Louis for two nights sounds like the right way to get back to where I need to be!

If you’re looking for an ordinary, phone-it-in rock and roll show, this band is probably not for you. If you’re looking to sit down during some tender ballads, this show ain’t for you. But if you’re looking for a band that will have you screaming their name by the end of the night, Cowboy Mouth is your band!

Fred LeBlanc (drums/lead vocals) and John Thomas Griffith (guitar/vocals), the remaining nucleus of Cowboy Mouth, have turned their live shows in to a somewhat religious experience. This was my third time seeing them live and can tell you it is a cleansing that few bands can deliver. In my research for this article, there is one reoccurring theme with this band, they want you to have a great time at their show!

Over time, band members have changed but LeBlanc’s soul and feel for the music have remained constant.

Like popping the cork on a champagne bottle, Cowboy Mouth’s live show wastes little time getting to the bubbly. The twenty-plus year old hit, “Light It On Fire”, has the 400+ in the Old Rock House going bonkers! Those that have never seen them live are trying to figure what the hell just happened. A barefooted LeBlanc smiles approvingly from behind his ramshackle drum kit. A few songs later, LeBlanc makes his way to the balcony to make sure everyone in attendance is having a great time.

The band’s newest members, Matt Jones (guitar) and Brian Broussard (bass), have little trouble covering songs that were written long before they were in the band. Copious amounts of clapping and chants of the band’s name, keep those in attendance involved in this interactive show. A majority of Cowboy Mouth’s members hail from the New Orleans area and their roots shine brightly with a cover of, “Iko Iko”. “Blues at Bay” echoes the deep south sentiment with its swampy, being chased by alligators feel.

Along with the singing and dancing that come naturally at a Cowboy Mouth show, so does the tossing of the red plastic spoons. The stage being pelted with spoons has become synonymous with the song, “Everybody Loves Jill” and the line, “She eats her red cake, with my favorite red spoon”. Other things that you’ll be sure to see at a show is the band being appreciative of their long-term fans. Tonight, was no exception as young lady named Angie was called on stage to assist LeBlanc behind the skins. LeBlanc made mention Angie has been a fan of the band for 25 years.

A nearly two-hour night of rock and roll frivolity ends with the Cowboy Mouth staples, “Jenny Says” and “I Believe”. The takeaways from this show are that music brings people together and music can make you forget about life for a while. And last but certainly not least, the name of the band is, COWBOY MOUTH! Thanks to Cowboy Mouth, their management, and Old Rock House for their hospitality.

Photos of the show are below: