Wes Tucker and the Skillets

Buzz McClain reviewed an April 2006 Wes Tucker performance for The Washington Post:

Wes Tucker and the Skillets sound like a country band in name only. On Thursday night at Iota, the Arlington quartet showcased solid songwriting and tight instrumentation in musical styles ranging from funk to groove-based R&B to soulful jam-based ballads.

Tucker, who played acoustic guitar as he sang, was a strong stage presence, firmly in command of the material, most of which came from the band's new album, "Beauty in the Broken." His muscular vocals easily fit the ever-changing tempos of the tunes while maintaining the heartfelt intent of the image-laden lyrics.

The show shifted gears when lead guitarist Bryan Washam, whose funk riffs and solos entirely suited the material, and bassist Arch Alcantara, who provided a solid bottom with drummer Dave Rutkowski, traded instruments. Alcantara's bottleneck-slide style of playing was fiery and rock-based, raising the energy of the room even higher.

As skillful as the Skillets' playing was, the most impressive aspect was the songwriting. Tucker's tunes are sturdy without being rigid, soulful without being cloying, and he expresses them like he believes the words.