It isn’t too often you find a band who has a fan base that spans an entire state, that has opened up for stars like Cross Canadian Ragweed, Pat Green and The Eli Young Band among others, and whose songs are stuck in your head all before their first record has even been released.
But that is the case with South First Band. The foursome of Jeff Havard on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Warren Smyrl on lead guitar, Pat Overstreet on drums and Stephen Adams on bass and all four on harmonies are from Lufkin, Texas and have just released their debut album, a year and a half after first beginning to wow fans and fellow musicians with their musical style, vocals and songwriting.
South First Band first came together for the Colgate Country Showdown where they won both their local and state level. From there, the band has grown from a local go-to country opening band to a well-known group that boasts a rocking sound with a country influence, exceptional 3-and 4-part harmonies and an impressive song lineup.
South First Band agrees their vocals, on top of “kick ass music,” set them apart from any other band in the scene. Their harmony acts as a fifth member to the band, adding something that only the four of them together could create.
South First Band’s debut album, Like The Movies, has brought the band and their music into focus. But, Like The Movies wasn’t always the band’s debut album. They had recorded a self-produced album that they decided to scrap, in favor of a grammy-nominated Mack Damon produced album.
Though the band wasn’t happy about shelving their original album, they loved the result. Like The Movies brought out South First Band’s sound and honed in on the intricacies that make them who they are.
The album’s lead-off single, Wake Up Wanting Me, written by Pat Overstreet, is a catchy tune that gets stuck in your head. It is a positive, back-in-your-face love song that reminds you that love comes and goes. With the band’s upcoming touring stint, it’s likely “Wake Up Wanting Me” will be a fan favorite.
With all four members writing on Like The Movies, songs like “Something Real,” “Backroads” and the title track give listeners a taste of love, friendship, loyalty and good times as well as the writing ability of the foursome. A very guitar-driven, fun sound blends perfectly with South First Band’s songwriting, offering listeners an original sound in Texas Country and the Red Dirt Music scene that can’t be ignored.
As they keep on doing what they do, South First Band will undoubtedly continue to wow fans and fellow musicians in their scene. They are excited about releasing an album for friends and fans that have followed them this far.
For them, it’s about making music that is true not only to them, but to everyone who listens to it.
