Blues Rock with a Touch of Jam

Scott Rhiner and the Moanin' Blacksnakes are one of Vegas' most fiery blues bands, smokin' like a forest fire. Rhiner himself breaks down these bad boys.

What do Scott Rhiner and the Moanin' Blacksnakes sound like?

"Mainly blues rock, and we dabble in some rootsy Americana music with a little jam band tinge."

What gives you the blues?

"DJs and dance clubs."

What gets rid of them?

"Getting to play real live music for real good people."

You played in front of Stevie Ray Vaughan once. Did you ever get to meet him?

"Yes, I met him after the night he saw me play at the Black Cat Lounge in Austin. He was a very gracious person. I talked with him several times after that whenever we crossed paths. His first manager, Chesley Millikin, whom I also met in Austin (Texas), booked the Blacksnakes a bunch of gigs on the West Coast when we used to travel."

Art Groom, your Hammond player, is nicknamed "The Reverend." How did he get that handle?

"Before Art was in the band I used to see him play and I would always get the biggest kick when he would start telling his assorted tales of the blues before he would start singing a slow blues song. It sounded like a preacher on the pulpit, preaching to his congregation. When Art joined the Blacksnakes seven years ago, I started introducing him as the Reverend Art Groom."

Name five records no true blues fan can be without.

"B.B. King, 'Live at the Regal'; Freddie King, 'Texas Cannonball'; Albert King, 'Live Wire Blues Power'; any Muddy Waters Chess-era recordings; John Mayhall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (the Beano album).

See Scott Rhiner and the Moanin' Blacksnakes at 10 p.m. Friday at Sand Dollar Blues, 3355 Spring Mountain Road. Call 871-6651.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.