The Cadillac Saints

At a Cadillac Saints show, you had better dance, because the band isn't going to ask you nicely.

"When you're onstage, there is no asking for permission," said guitarist/vocalist Matthew Walley, who co-founded the local blues rock band with his brother, Jeremy, in 2009.

"You can't ask permission for people to move or put their hands together," Walley added. "You have to command that it be done.

"Having that kind of presence and energy is almost a religious experience when you're up there. You have to have the people in the back row believing what you're saying."

Walley said connecting with each other, musically, has been easy for the quartet.

Despite some lineup upheaval earlier this year that resulted in the departure of drummer Jeremy Muse, Walley said he, his brother, guitarist Matthew Walley, and lead singer Jeff Copeland have always comprised the group's core.

The Cadillac Saints' sound blends the improvisation and energy of classic rock and jam artists such as The Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Allman Brothers, which the Walley brothers grew up listening to.

Copeland participated in the Chattanooga Boys Choir, which lends his vocals a clarity and soulful intensity that Walley said nicely compliments the band's strong blues overtones.

All three core members also performed in the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera's Youth Orchestra program, which has helped guide their approach to preparing new music, Walley said.

"It's a more militant music style," Walley said. "We rehearse as if we were a orchestral unit. We're serious onstage, and everything has its order and flow."

Saturday, the Saints will headline a show at JJ's Bohemia alongside fellow Chattanooga rockers The Bohannons and The Alabama Shakes.

So far, 2011 has been a banner year for the Saints.

Hot on the heels of their first Riverbend performance in 2010, the musicians landed an opening slot at Nightfall, which has been a long-term goal in the band from the beginning, Walley said.

In preparation for the launch of an as-yet-untitled sophomore EP in the coming months, Walley said the band has also focused on improving its ability to connect with audiences.

If they're doing their job, he said, people will be hanging on their every word, permission or no permission.

"You have to make it really count for everyone," Walley said. "One thing I've realized playing out in this scene is that you have to make your mark and make your connection." - Chattanooga Times Free Press

"The Cadillac Saints are a classic example of consistent hard work, and are all for making Chattanooga a supportive musical hub for everyone by dismissing the super competitive vibe that seemed to be a downfall in our town’s past. Their first full single, “Muddy Waters”, vindicates the raw and natural elements of this band, “If you ain’t a fan of dirty hands, baby please get out the way.”"
- Tara Morris-Viland, Chattanooga Pulse (Aug 05, 2010) - Tara Viland - The Pulse

"Best Blues Band goes to the Cadillac Saints. This band has been on the rise the past couple of years and can rock it with the best of them. They are young guys, good musicians, nice fellows and fun to watch. Catch them at a venue in town, soon."
- Bob Payne, chattanoogan.com (Dec 23, 2010) - Bob Payne - The Chattanoogan

"Seeing these acts in local venues is one thing, but having them on stages with completely pro sound is another. The Cadillac Saints were particularly great. They had, I think, one of the best slots of the week being right before Darius Rucker. Two things I noticed specifically were that Scott Chase seemingly wandered in front of the stage checking them out for some time. I heard he was raving about them the next morning on KZ so he must have liked what he heard. The other was the rain. One of our now too common rain storms hit right in the middle of their set...and NO ONE LEFT! I don't know about you but, there aren't a lot of touring bands that I'd be willing to get soaked to watch but, these guys had the crowd captivated. Thank you so much for bringing them in. It's going to be fun to watch their progress! By the way, their new record is fantastic!"
- Paul Wilson, chattanoogan.com (Jun 23, 2010) - Paul Wilson - The Chattanoogan