Whiskey Diablo returns to the Chico Feo stage on Oct. 23
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
The Folly Current recently caught up with Patrick Blake, the head hellraiser for the “gutter country-rock” outfit Whiskey Diablo. Blake has since moved from the Charleston area, but continues to play music and still gets together with his fellow Diablos from time to time.
Known for their raw, high-energy style, together Whiskey Diablo have played more than 700 shows and recorded multiple albums.
Here is part of that conversation as they prepare to return to a familiar stage, when they play Chico Feo on Friday, Oct. 23
FOLLY CURRENT: It’s good to see Whiskey Diablo is still at it! How has the band changed since your Charleston days?
PATRICK BLAKE: Thank you sir. Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that we’re on time now. WD used to be chronically late with start times. We once unknowingly showed up to the wrong venue in Hilton Head. We started playing the gig and about 40 mins into the set there’s a call from the venue we were supposed to be playing with management asking where we were. We finished out the gig we were at and then played the other place the following night 24 hours later.
FC: What do you miss most about tearing up Lowcountry stages on the reg?
PB: Probably all of the camaraderie with the local musicians. It’s a somewhat eclectic and definitely supportive atmosphere of wildly talented players. Copious amounts of freebie after hours booze might come in a close second. I definitely do not miss sweating profusely at every single gig.
FC: What does it mean to you to be returning to the Chico Feo stage?
PB: It means that I’ll probably see the sun come up the next day after the show. Folly tends to get her claws in ya and not let go! It also means that I’ll be getting a Wu-Tang bowl. Hank and all of the staff at Chico are wonderful. It’s a very warm and inviting environment. They put tremendous effort into helping me retrieve a guitar that was stolen after a gig there. I am, however, refraining from table top dancing this time though as we don’t want anymore busted guitars.
FC: Where are you now nad what is new in your world? Anything new on the music front— album,tour, side projects, etc?
PB: I’m currently sitting in the recording studio that I built at my home in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia. Whiskey Diablo is releasing a new single called “Double Down (on a bad decision)” probably at the beginning of November. I’ve been working on a duo project with a wildly talented singer Sophia Redwine. She actually did a guest vocal spot on “Double Down”. I’m also starting some recordings with an 18 year old singer / songwriter Shawn Epperson. He’s an old soul with a fantastic baritone voice. Lastly, Whiskey Diablo is about to finally start recording for our elusive third album. Shooting for a release date late next summer or early 2028 as long as the world doesn’t completely implode by then.
FC: Anything else?
PB: Go Vote.
Whiskey Diablo plays on Friday, Oct. 23 at Chico Feo, located at 122 E Ashley Ave. For more information, visit www.whiskeydiablo.com.
