Boogie Beasts: a tribute album to R.L. Burnside

Five men posing together with joyful expressions, in front of a 'Blues Alive' banner backdrop.

Boogie Beasts unveil “Shake ’Em On Down”, the first single from their upcoming tribute album to R.L. Burnside, due out on April 17. For this new take on a hill country blues classic, the Belgian band teamed up with G. Love, for a meeting point between raw blues and urban groove. This project marks both the band’s 15th anniversary and the centenary of the Mississippi musician’s birth.

With “Shake ’Em On Down”, the Boogie Beasts take on one of R.L. Burnside’s most emblematic songs. Their version keeps the hypnotic backbone of Mississippi hill country blues, while giving it a more electric, raw edge, true to the band’s DNA. For this track, they invited G. Love, whose world has long moved between blues, groove and hip-hop. A collaboration that made perfect sense to the band, as they explain.

A classic revisited

With “Shake ’Em On Down”, the Boogie Beasts take on one of R.L. Burnside’s emblematic tracks. Their version retains the repetitive, almost trance-like feel of Mississippi hill country blues, while injecting a garage energy and a more front-facing rock tension.

The choice of G. Love as a guest came naturally. The band explain: « We grew up with his blend of blues and hip-hop. When we started thinking about guests for this album, his name came up straight away. His album Philadelphia Mississippi echoed our project. We asked him to take part last summer in Belgium, and he accepted without hesitation. »

“Shake ’Em On Down” announces the release of Don’t Be So Mean! – A Tribute to R.L. Burnside, an album conceived as a true transatlantic project around hill country blues. Alongside the Boogie Beasts, several musicians closely linked to R.L. Burnside are involved, including Duwayne Burnside (his son), Kenny Brown (his long-time guitarist) and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars). On the European side, Pablo van de Poel (DeWolff) and Cedric Maes are also part of the project.

Red vinyl album artwork by Boogie Beasts with neon lights of a café and a bar, paying tribute to R.L. Burnside.

Beyond the tribute, the album marks a clear return to the band’s musical roots, in a raw, repetitive and hypnotic register, directly inspired by North Mississippi hill country blues, the very aesthetic that gave birth to the Boogie Beasts.

The single is accompanied by a DIY animated video, imagined and directed by Fabian Bennardo (harmonica), in an artisanal spirit consistent with the project’s approach.

On stage, the Boogie Beasts are preparing a brand-new live show entirely dedicated to this repertoire, mixing tracks from Don’t Be So Mean! with hill country blues classics. The set is conceived as a direct extension of the album, with the possibility of seeing some of the guests joining the band on stage depending on the dates.

First tour dates

The band will hit the road in April to promote the album. The first dates have been announced, and we hope they will make a stop in France! More Belgian and international dates are to be announced.

April 16: Macca Club, Hasselt (Belgium)
April 18: La Bonne Source, Fleurus (Belgium)
April 25: Reflektor, Liège (Belgium, with DeWolff)
April 27: Burgerweeshuis, Deventer (Netherlands)
May 2: Moulin Blues, Ospel (Netherlands)
May 9: Ancienne Belgique, Brussels (opening for Robert Jon & The Wreck)

“Shake ’Em On Down” has been available on all platforms since February 26 and is aired on Blues Actu Radio.