Article by Kevin Cummings

Mid-Nite Bourbon is a three-piece band that came together in December 2021. Brian Olver (guitarist w / Palmer Junction, Boogie Chillin), Sean Peabody (Session bassist LA/Nashville/Muscle Shoals) and Devan Bland (drums w / Punish The Scribes) formed the trio after a few nights at Purdy’s Blues Jams in Sumner.

Mid-Nite Bourbon with Jesse Turcotte on bass

They play outlaw blues but, as Brian says, “it’s not the blues you’d expect”.  According to Sean, “the name comes from respect for the bourbon you break out after everyone has gone to bed – you know, the good stuff”.

The band, which performs a mix of originals and covers, currently is working on a new album titled “Top Shelf,” that may be released later this year.  Sean says that much of the album is done, but they are in the mixing stage.  Stay tuned for info on the release party.

Peabody came to the pacific northwest when stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He grew up in Alabama and comes from a military family. While at JBLM he performed in the 56th Army band and still performs with the National Guard band.  Outside of music, Sean likes hanging out with his two kids and wife. He’s also a massive Atlanta Braves baseball fan from childhood.

Brian, from Buckley, has been part of the PNW music scene for years, playing in Palmer Junction and boogie chillin’ before Mid-Nite Bourbon. He began playing guitar before high school and works as a guitarist at Sound Works.  Beyond his guitar, Brian likes to go to the beach, hiking and getting out in nature.

Devon is from Hoquiam and is in the education system.  He is big into Dungeons and Dragons and still enjoys seeing metal bands in the area.

The band is trying to create a new chapter that is unique to the PNW.  “We want a rougher edge and push the envelope a bit” says Sean.  “We’re an ambassador to the past, meaning that we want to stay true to those who came before us while adding our own experience and taste; we don’t want to limit ourselves and like letting our different talents blend something new”.

Brian and Sean met through various jams in the area and started writing together.  They met Devan, and though more of a metal guy he has always had a great appreciation for the blues.  The trio started jamming together and something just felt right, the chemistry was there.

They started doing originals from Brian and some from Sean, then some they wrote together.  Sean says “we enjoy playing together. The blues is a far-reaching genre that is magic when you can create an emotion with the audience.  We like experimenting with the music, and some have referred to us as a contemporary version of Cream – a huge compliment”.

Sean and Brian were part of the house band at Purdy’s during much of the covid, jamming every week.  In an effort that speaks well of their character, they made it a point to generate revenue for the line cooks, waitresses and all the people behind the scenes because they had aways been good to them. Sean says, “Their work is important to the experience that people have at the show, if the food is good, if the service is good, if the sound guy and the janitor all do a good job, then people enjoy the experience and will come back; if the bathroom is filthy then it harms the overall experience and people probably wont come back”.  They put shows online, and even experimented with listeners playing along – if you were at home and listening, you could play along with the music.

As for their influences, Sean is a huge fan of the Allman Brothers; not just the big hits that everybody knows but some of the b-sides stuff.  Brian is a huge Hendrix and Albert King fan, and Devon loves Bernard Purdy and Lewis Cole.  They are all fans of Cream and Sean confesses to Jack Bruce being one of his favorite bass players of all time.

As closing comments, Sean is excited to see live music getting back to pre-pandemic levels.  He wants our SSBA subscribers to come out and see a live show – “come lend your spirit and energy”.  Mid-Nite Bourbon is excited about being part of the South Sound Blues Association, believing that it’s a joint effort; if the Association is doing well, then the bands will do well.

Speaking for the SSBA – we are excited to have them. With Sean leaving to the East Coast touring and doing sessions work, the band today is a power trio of Jesse Turcotte, Devan Bland, and Brian Olver, with Jesse taking Sean’s place on bass.

Jesse Turcotte

 

Do yourself a favor and get out and see them live, prepare to have fun.