Tab Benoit’s Distinctive Swamp Blues Thrill Fans At Hermosa’s Saint Rocke (SHOW REVIEW)

Louisiana Blues guitarist Tab Benoit has been on tour around the United States in support of I Hear Thunder, his first new release in 13 years. He brought his trio to Saint Rocke, a small club in Hermosa Beach, California, on September 1, 2025, to play some of the new material and his older songs. An enthusiastic assembly of fans offered raucous support, hooting, hollering, and singing along to his vocals. Benoit put on a masterful performance that elated the club filled with his devoted fans.

The trio included Benoit’s usual bassist Corey Duplechin and fill-in drummer Chip Vayenas (regular drummer Terrence Higgins is currently on tour with Gov’t Mule as the replacement for Matt Abts). Benoit did a skilled job of keeping the audience riveted by combining his explosive guitar solos with passionate vocals. He also kept them riding an emotional roller coaster, switching between sultry, slow ballads and up-tempo voyages. Duplechin’s bass lines melded flawlessly with Benoit’s guitar, and Vayenas pounded a solid blues beat. Most of the show featured Benoit’s older material, but he mixed in delightful new songs from his latest release, including “Why Why” and “Watching The Gators Roll In.” Fast-paced older tracks “Hot Tamale Baby” and “Night Train” got the crowd revved up and dancing.

For the encore, Benoit brought out Matthew Stubbs and Cody Nilsen, the guitarists from GA-20, who had opened the show. The guests joined in on “Why Are People Like That” and the title track from Benoit’s latest album, “I Hear Thunder.” The two fast-paced songs offered an excellent platform for the trio of axe aces to trade solos and show off their skills. Stubbs played intense note combinations on his signature Waterslide Bigsby electric guitar, while Nilsen employed a commanding slide technique on his Harmony Jupiter. Benoit’s ancient Fender Telecaster, which has been his go-to guitar for decades, still produces a formidable tone. Benoit closed the show with one last sizzling solo before wrapping up the song and saying goodnight.

Live photos by Andy J. Gordon ©2025