Stratgazer’s White Trash Bash show - Feb. 28, 2026

I walked into the Westport Bowery, to see Ernie Yates, the singer of Stone Eagle, drop a small mountain of multicolored fabrics onto the merch table. 

The first words out of my mouth were: “Oh my God, the Stone Eagle g-strings are real?!” 

Yates laughed and said I could help put out the local band undergarments.

So began my experience at Stratgazer’s White Trash Bash show. 

The last Saturday in February showcased four high-power, high energy bands, brought to town by Stratgazer: Working Class Criminals (KC), Stone Eagle (KC), Scattered Hamlet (Pennsylvania), and Copper Still (Springfield, MO).

Working Class Criminals was the first to step on stage. I had seen the 4-piece previously at Harrah’s VooDoo Lounge, and the band played a similar set. That Saturday, the band wore cargo shorts, faded jeans, black band t-shirts and boots. Their swagger of southern rock with a hard rock edge soared from the stage from the first note; every time I have seen this band, they have a consistent sound of raunchy southern rock, flirting with a hard rock sound, damn near crossing into metal territory at times. The bulk of their set was originals, but they did their usual cover of Eddie Money’s “Think I’m In Love,” a nice throwback from the 1980s. Working Class Criminals kicked off the night, getting the energy building. . .

Stone Eagle followed (side note: you may recognize this drummer as the bassist in the previously mentioned Working Class Criminals). The stoner southern blues-rock band walked onto stage wearing a flourish of camo, bright neon yellow, jeans, trucker hats, and a humorous t-shirt of America’s Sweetheart Dolly Parton giving the bird. The band’s soundcheck was the FRIENDS theme song, which got a few chuckles from the crowd, before they dove into their original material. 

I have said again and again that Stone Eagle has POWERHOUSE vocals, and I seriously doubt that that description is one I will quit using to describe their live shows. I had seen this band several times before at Harrah’s VooDoo Lounge and Outlaw Cigar in North Kansas City. This show was probably both the funniest and strongest-vocal-wise that I have seen them; during their set, the band tossed out g-string underwear marked with their logo on it into the audience, quite literally slingshotting the pairs out by the leg straps, as the modern inverse of groupies throwing bras on stage. 

Music-wise, Stone Eagle relies on bluesy guitar tones, a strong rhythm section, and, yes, powerhouse vocals. The band members’ faces were very animated on stage, openly smiling and laughing and having a good time rocking out! When the band walked offstage, there was literal, actual sweat left on the floor, a testament to how they give their all - blood, sweat, tears, and g-strings on stage. 

Saturday was also my first time seeing the band Scattered Hamlet. My initial impression was country music but make it rock-n-roll with a healthy portion of metal and hard rock. The band’s attire reflected this through jeans, cutoff black tank tops, camo, fringe, trucker hats and cowboy boots that had the American flag on them. Their crowd interaction excelled, evoking banter, dancing and drinking. 

The band self-describes as “honky tonk metal.” It’s not just metal; it’s not just country; it’s not even something in between. Scattered Hamlet’s music contains both metal and country, making sharp turns into rock-n-roll, outlaw country, and southern rock. A lot of their music exhibited blistering, blazing guitar solos. Scattered Hamlet referenced David Allan Coe’s “If That Ain’t Country,” showing their roots and some influences. As the night went on, Scattered Hamlet definitely kept the party going!

Copper Still concluded the bash. I have seen this band before, also at Harrah’s VooDoo Lounge. Their hard-hitting hard rock sound is a signature feature of their live show. That night, the band wore denim overalls, jeans, black t-shirts, and trucker hats. Their music, while being hard rock, still has moments of blues and pure groove. Copper Still was probably the loudest band of the night, even though all the bands brought the PUNCH and knock-out energy. Through soulful vocals and impactful lyrics of determination, Copper Still is one of those bands who are honest in their art, and all that matters is that it is an authentic representation of themselves as artists. Copper Still’s music wrapped up Stratgazer’s White Trash Bash show as a strong conclusion to an all amazing night.