Among the artists that call Atlanta home, there are hidden gems in almost any genre of music. For those hankering for some simple yet refreshing roots rock, there is Collins Drive. With their name taken from the road their former drummer lived on, the band puts true grit into each of their performances. The trio digs deep to portray real life in the South without the jaded portrayal overdone by (too) many southern musicians. Collins Drive tries to encapsulate the raw moments of life in their music, like getting caught in the rain after missing the bus or being a day late and a dollar short on rent. They are modern minstrels sharing stories that spotlight the humble reality of the struggles in life. Collins Drive seek to bring people together in a realization that we are not alone and generally share the same messy life stories but in different shades.
Consisting of Don de Leaumont (guitar, vocals), Allison Shockley (bass), and Luis Nieves (drums), the band plays a tight set with a full, balanced sound where each instrument can be easily recognized for its role in the group’s overall composition. I was fortunate enough to catch Collins Drive for a midweek set at the Masquerade where they played in support of Eryn, a singer-songwriter from Jersey.
The threesome always seem to set a chill vibe in whatever venue they play, and Purgatory was no different. As an added touch, there was incense burning behind the band that made for a more immersive experience as the soothing smells mixed with tantalizing tunes. Each member of Collins Drive was entranced in their roles on stage, with Shockley and Nieves keeping their rhythm in lockstep to give de Leaumont a proper backdrop to paint the room with his soulful voice and groovy guitar licks. They played a couple of older fan favorites such as “Rest Stop for the Lonely” about a Waffle House in Durham and “Ghost Town,” a haunting blues number depicting life in Stockbridge, Ga. During their set, de Leaumont had the crowd give a shout out to his wife who was watching the show via a live feed as she was under the weather. This little act of kindness to include those who couldn’t attend the show illustrates the dedication Collins Drive has for its fans, although I’m sure he would have gotten an earful if his wife couldn’t see him play.
As Collins Drive is a regular at many venues around Atlanta, give them some love and lend them an ear if you are so inclined. If making it out to shows is a struggle, as it is for many that are on that hustle and work grind, make sure to check the band out on your preferred music platform.
More Info
Web: collinsdrive.com
Bandcamp: collinsdrive.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @collinsdrive
Twitter: @collinsdriveatl