Calibre 12 - A Bout Portant (1998)

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Calibre 12 is a Southern Rock band from France. Yeah, you read that right. Or can't that be so?! Well, there's an interesting discussion for you fans of Southern Rock. Can Southern sounding Rock, which is not actually from any of the Southern United States, be called Southern Rock? And if so, where do you draw the line? I have several examples posted on my blog. Was it OK for me to post Duke Jupiter's "Sweet Cheeks"? They were from New York, but the album was recorded at the Capricorn studios, produced by Chuck Leavell and features Southern Rock veterans like Randall Bramblett, Jai Johanny Johnson and Chuck Leavell guesting. Or what about George Hatcher. He may have been from North Carolina, but his first 4 studio album featured mostly British musicians. Moonshine were from The Netherlands, but their version of "In The Morning" was much appreciated by Mama's Pride's Pat Liston. I guess it depends what you're definition of Southern Rock is. When the first bands from the South emerged, that would later epitomize Southern Rock, the music wasn't called that just yet. They were referred to as Southern Rock because of their geographical origins. Those early years are really special. Because eventhough bands like the Allmans, Charlie Daniels, Wet Willie, Skynyrd and Grinderswitch would play such different styles, you could hear by the tone of their playing that they were from the South. The same tone that could also be heard on old Southern Soul classics, which is only logical, since they were played by white Southern musicians (Travis Wammack, Steve Cropper, Duane Allman) as well. It was only in the second half of the 70's that Southern Rock as a style became the big thing we think it is. When bands like The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet and Doc Holliday entered the scene, and it was quite massive for a moment. Then in the early 80's Southern Rock went almost extinct, some bands trying their hand at AOR and most failing miserably. In Europe Southern Rock was probably only just getting a following when it had all but disappeared. It remained quite popular in Germany and especially France. Which brings us back to Calibre 12. And as far as the music goes, that's solid Southern Rock in my book. This is their debut, and you can still tell they're fans first. The music is pretty much in the Molly Hatchet vein. Great slide guitar. But don't be expecting no Southern drawl here. Maybe a drawl Sudiste (pardon my French). But I reckon that's better than English with a French accent. It does not bother me at all, though I have no clue what they're singing about. You can find the lyrics on their homepage. I wonder what your opinion will be after hearing this. Is Southern Rock now a genre that could come from anywhere? Rock Sudiste!