MOBILE, AL – You could say it’s been a “Real Big” summer for Red and the Revelers. Just coming off the April release of their latest record, the Alabama based “Swamp Soul from the Deep South” act has been bringing their big band energy to big stages around the region and farther out.
If you have ever been near a stage they were on, you couldn’t miss them. Rocking nine members including a full horn section, they’ve been tearing it up at special events and headlining shows around Mississippi, filling up every inch of space with a wall of sound and a pure, infectious physical energy. They have been building a steady presence and a growing following with their original music, fueled by the charisma between the members as the band’s lineup grew, and while they don’t consider themselves a “party band” per se, they bring the party with them anyway. Here on the coast they have popped up at spots like Ground Zero Blues Club, Red Radio Productions events, Ocean Springs’ Fridays at the Fort, and this year’s Coast Observer Covey Awards, where they absolutely lit up Hard Rock Live.
For band leader Red Padilla, all of this revelry is the culmination of years of growth. He’s a lifelong player, tracing his musical inclinations back to the age of four. It was in 2016 that the inspiration to go pro really hit as he enjoyed a packed out show at The Brickyard.
“Just something in that moment where I stopped and was like ‘you know what, that’s gonna be me,” Red said. He went out, bought a new guitar, started writing songs again and began putting together the pieces of what would eventually become the band. The first official Red and the Revelers show went off in 2019 and was actually the release party for their debut single “Rainy Day Suggestion,” which is still one of the band’s top jams. They quickly followed up with more songs which would create their first full length album, The Wizard and the Witch later that same year. The album showcased their soulful, Americana-influenced sound and gave them a solid foundation as Red’s writing naturally evolved into the more upbeat, high-energy style that came to define the newest release.
That high energy kicks in right at the top of Real Big Deal with the first track and single, “Shattered Lives.” It’s big and groovy with an infectious hook from the horn section, and Red’s vocals cut through with attitude. The accompanying music video showcases the band and a local audience vibing and having an over-the-top good time… right up until the delightful twist at the end. (Check it out.)
“Shattered Lives” is just one of many of course, and there have been a few fan favorites starting to show in the band’s online stats, such as “Take it Back”. “I love every song on that album, we love playing every one of them…Usually if I think there’s going to be a weak song we just cut it,” Red laughed.
August and September currently has Red and the Revelers doing a bit of traveling- hitting Florida, Georgia, and Missouri in addition to their home state of Alabama… which isn’t that far. But, don’t worry, just keep an eye out for the next time they pop in over our way. They already have some new music in their set that has yet to be recorded, like the song “Trip.” According to Red, “If you wanna hear it you gotta come see us!”
“We love Mississippi… Mississippi is probably one of the greatest places on Earth for music, and it’s been one of the most supportive states that we’ve ever been in and it’s really helped make our career,” he continued. “We just want to thank the people of Mississippi for being super rad.”
~Enjoy Local Music~
@ScottiRedd
Catch Red and the Revelers online:
redandtherevelers.com
facebook.com/redandtherevelers
LinkTree: linktr.ee/redandtherevelers
Promo photos by Alexander Boswell
Covey Awards photos by Chris Montgomery/ MontgoPhoto
