Mingo Fishtrap
Sam’s Burger Joint
San Antonio, Texas

Acclaimed Austin, based band Mingo Fishtrap is known for high-octane performances fueled by gritty vocals, animated horns, and jumping funky soul-rock rhythms with dashes of New Orleans jazz. Fronted by Roger Blevins, Jr. (lead singer and guitarist), the band comes across as a molding of John Fogerty, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and The Neville Brothers concoction, bringing the bayou sound right into their own Texas backyard.

Despite the small venue, the syncopated grooves, brassy workouts that reminsenent of Stax and Muscle Shoals, searing blues guitar, and relentless drive seemed to blare out over a wide circumference, epitomized by their rollicking blues-funk-rock staple “Do What Ya Wanna Do” and interspersion of the all-time R&B/Crescent City favorite “Jockomo”/“Iko Iko.” But even with such energetic delivery, songs such as the soul-infused “Things Ain’t What They Was Before” tell a classic message updated into a present setting. zwith a Mardi Gras sensibility and Louisiana musical flair, the performers remained nicely dressed—even with Blevins, Jr., in his beret, collared shirt, denims, and boots, at times dancing , at other times cracking jokes about touring.

Over 15 years and different lineups, Mingo Fishtrap continue to keep the Louisiana sound alive through releasing acknowledged output such as Yesterday (winner of Austin Music Awards) and their zest-filled performances such as tonight. “Don’t worry about what anybody thinks,” Blevins, Jr., said. “Just do your thing.”

by Jeff Boyce