So Far Gone Rocked Rockafella's Saturday Despite Bad Weather

At Rockafella’s on Saturday night, both the Boston Bruins and Orlando Magic games cut out intermittently as a severe thunderstorm warning issued throughout Montgomery County threatened the night’s entertainment.

Darnestown band So Far Gone was setting up to perform their mix of original songs and Southern boogie rock covers. Patrons ordered burgers and drinks and hoped the restaurant didn’t lose electricity.

“The weather isn’t chasing the neighbors away,” said Billy Herrington, arranger and multi-instrumentalist for the band. Joined by songwriter and guitarist Darren Francis, Dave Wescott “mighty fine” on the drums and guest bassist Gene Monroe, So Far Gone wasn’t playing with their usual lineup.

“It’s a work in progress. Billy and I have been playing together forever in different bands over the years,” Francis said.  “It’s worked out well so far.”

Recent additions to the lineup of veteran musicians include bassist Thierry Lenoir, who hails from the French Riviera, and drummer Pat Hanscom. Valerie Landis lends her talents to the background vocals.

Herrington and Francis have been involved in previous bands and projects such as Tarzan and the Janes, Cattail Road, Fatty and the Bastards, and Westcott Bros. Band and have played at local hot spots many times. The band was glad to play Rockafella’s since the restaurant began hosting shows a few months ago, Herrington said.

So Far Gone finds inspiration in the music of the Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd and performs from an impressive list of covers, both crowd pleasers and classic rock favorites.

But original material is what the band enjoys playing the most. So Far Gone’s 2008 album Closure was recorded locally at East Coast Bands by producer/engineer Kenny Ruyter in Potomac and mixed by Bill Wolf in Arlington.

“We push the originals where we can,” Herrington said. “We have a good following building.”

In 2009 Billy and Darren auditioned for CMT’s Can You Duet after some exposure on the bands Myspace led to an invitation down to Nashville’s Music Row. The two didn’t advance but were able to pass out some CDs and meander around the music capital.

Looking forward to the spring and summer, the band is scheduled to play free shows around the area in Frederick, Poolesville and Gaithersburg into September. Some of the most popular spots to play have been Rio, the Washingtonian Center and the Kentland’s Tiki Bar. The outdoors shows usually draw the larger crowds.

As the band performed a cover of the Rolling Stone’s Honky Tonk Woman, bar patrons drenched from the rain filed in and took seats close to the stage. The setup near the bar ensured an intimate but not overpowering performance.

The band rocked out with Pink Houses by John Mellencamp and Can't You See by The Marshall Tucker Band but really gained momentum with their flagship track, So Far Gone, reminiscent of Willie Nelson.

Check out So Far Gone online for a schedule of upcoming shows and give a listen.  Original songs are available for download on iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody.

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