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Back to Rockville
ANNE TANGEMAN/Special to The Star
Kirk Rundstrom (left) and Jeff Eaton perform Friday
night at Split Lip Rayfield's last show in Lawrence. The
band's final show will be Thursday in Wichita.
LAWRENCE -- Since 1998, Split Lip Rayfield has
forged its own hi-octane, barnburning sound, crossing
genres and pulling metal-worthy solos off of country
instruments.
Friday night at Liberty Hall, its long road traveled came
one step closer to the end of the line when the band
played its last show in the area. Guitarist Kirk
Rundstrom, diagnosed with inoperable esophageal
cancer, plans to retire from performing soon to focus
fully on his health. Retirement might be a misnomer
though: Rundstrom has a new solo CD out this month,
and several reunion shows have been planned for
Scroatbelly, the band that eventually gave way to Split
Lip Rayfield.
Openers Drakkar Sauna warmed up the packed-to-the-
rafters crowd with their back porch, carnivalesque
sounds. They extended their set to cover for second
opener Truckstop Honeymoon, who were stuck in St.
Louis by the recent snowstorm.
Split Lip took the stage around 11:15 p.m., tearing into "Flat Black Rag." Jeff Eaton and his trademark gas-tank
stand-up bass, mandolin player Wayne Gottstine, banjo player Eric Mardis and guitarist Rundstrom reached a furious
pace and never let up. From "Biscuits" and "Outlaw" to "Pinball": No matter what they played, the entire crowd sang
along to every song.
After one particularly fever-pitched guitar solo, Eric Mardis introduced guitarist Rundstrom. The audience responded
with cheers and foot stomping, which continued for several minutes before the band broke into "Redneck Tailgate
Dream".
Nearly 75 miniutes later, the party ended with "Kiss of Death," and the audience chimed in on the chorus. The band
left the stage and the crowd erupted in more noise, trying to encourage an encore. Moments later Gottstine and
Eaton returned, playing a ripping instrumental. Rundstrom and Mardis rejoined the band as Eaton taped a kazoo
onto his mic stand and they broke into "Never Make it Home Again." Kirk introduced the members of the band and
ended by saying, "Im Kirk and were Split Lip Rayfield and we appreciate the hell out of you all." It was obvious the
feeling was mutual from the applause and cheers. Split Lip Rayfield ended with one last sing-along, "San Antone".
Dont cry in your beer if you missed the show. Split Lip Rayfield plays one last time, at Wichitas Cotillion, on
December 8. The band also recently released a 29-song best of collection "SLR", which includes live and studio
tracks.
| Anne Tangeman, Special to The Star