Flannel Church

An Interview with Duane Trucks

BY SETH LYDA
Issue #22

You might not have heard of Flannel Church yet;  however, they’re anything but new - and judging from their multiple sets at Bear Creek, Flannel Church is gearing up for the big time. Originally formed as a side project of The Lee Boy’s Roosevelt Collier, the group recently underwent some lineup changes, and has hit the road in search of the recognition they deserve. Their sound is all their own; characterized by soulful roots-rock, with a tinge of folk, and a heavy blues influence. Originally based out of New Orleans, the new lineup has relocated to Atlanta and is currently working on their debut album. Drummer Duane Trucks caught me up to speed on the latest happenings with Flannel Church.
 

“We’ve been getting some original stuff together, writing a lot, trying to get this thing moving, and get the ball rolling on recording. We’re recording in a couple different studios around Atlanta; then we’ll utilize my brother’s studio down in Jacksonville, FL. We’ve been hitting the road really hard for the past 8 months, and we want to take these next 3 or 4 months to really hunker down and get a record made that we’re all proud of. Realistically, the record should be done by January, but we’re not trying to rush anything; it may even happen quicker than that. But we’ll play it as it comes.”
Duane and bass player Kevin Scott have been playing together in various projects for 5 years; most notably with Col Bruce Hampton. “That’s where we met Lawson Feltman. Col. Bruce has brought a lot of musicians together, and taught a lot of valuable lessons to a lot of people. He’s definitely a guru of this region.” Said Trucks. 
 
When a band makes adjustments to their lineup, a change in sound is customary. The two newest members, Lawson Feltman and Marshall Ruffin, both singers and guitarists, have brought their own feel to the mix; helping transform the group’s sound into something powerful and new. “Marshall can really sing man, its’ fun having that type of front man out there that can really swing for the fences and make it happen. He has his thumb on a lot of the modern stuff, and he’s been turning us on to all this hip new stuff that’s coming out. Lawson is way into music from Little Feet, Townes Van Zandt, and Warren Zevon; stuff like that. So we’ve got a lot of different influences from a lot of places.” 
If you recognize the last name Trucks, it’s no coincidence. His uncle Butch plays drums for The Allman Brothers Band, and his older brother Derek is a mega-star on the jam band scene; and also plays with The Allman Brothers, as well as his own group, The Tedeschi-Trucks Band. But Duane Trucks has officially stepped out of the family shadow, and at 23 years of age, he’s already amassed an impressive resume. Now Duane has assembled a cohesive group of musicians with limitless potential. “The chemistry is there both personally and musically, and now we’re really serious about putting this band on the road.”
 
Duane’s drumming style is reminiscent of his famous uncle, and I couldn’t help but make the correlation as I took in Flannel Church’s Bear Creek performance; so I had to ask about the influence. “I remember getting a few lessons from him when I was really young. I have faint memories of him showing me rudiments and stuff like that, but I think it was just naturally absorbing it through the years. Growing up, my pops would play Live at the Fillmore East constantly, and all those Allman Brothers records were constantly spinning in the house. It didn’t really hit me until I got out and started playing. Then I heard a recording of myself, and I thought ‘Oh my God! I sound like Butch! How did that happen?’ So I can’t deny Uncle Butch’s influences.”

As for what’s next, Duane says they the band will be “chilling in Atlanta for the next 2 or 3 months, 
and really try to get something out by the end of the year. By the time we get that record done, we’ll be hitting the road, trying to spread the word and make it happen.” So Keep your eyes peeled for Flannel Church dates in your area, and make sure to catch them January 18 in Fernandina Beach at The Dog Star Tavern.