In the mood tonight for “Heroin”? Go see the Sierra Drifters.
The new South Shore band plays two sets tonight at the Divided Sky in Meyers, the first a tribute to Lou Reed, the influential band leader of the Velvet Underground who died Oct. 27.
“He’s influenced so many different artists in so many different aspects,” said multi-instrumentalist Andy Hatch. “He was at the forefront of counterculture. His songs were haunting and deep.”
The homage was the idea of guitarist Chris Seal, who knows about 25 Lou Reed and Velvet Underground songs. Hatch said the band will play 12 of 13 of the songs, including “Heroin.”
Nate Alcorn plays bass and Ryan “Krony” Kronenberg the drums. The Sierra Drifters have a unique sound featuring Hatch on the five-string electric slide mandolin.
Hatch picked up the slide after seeing Derek Trucks at the New Orleans Jazz Festival a few years ago.
The Sierra Drifters open the Last Chair Music Festival Jan. 9 in Squaw Valley and are paired Jan. 24 with the Dead Winter Carpenters at Tep’s in South Lake Tahoe.
“Of all of my bands, including 4 Piece Puzzle, this has highest chance of greater success because we have original songs and the genre is pleasing to a lot of people,” Hatch said. “That band has a lot of potential.”
Tonight’s Divided Sky show is slated for 10 p.m., Tahoe time.
