What started out as jam sessions at Fatty’s Beer Works between a group of local musicians turned into a band called Fatty’s Fog Machine, which built from there into consistent gatherings on Monday nights that owner, brewer and musician David “Fatty” McLain affectionately calls Monday night superjams.
“It’s an open format where pretty much anyone can show up each week and bring their own guitar or mic — whatever they are looking to do on stage,” Mclain said. “It’s a good place for these local players to showcase their talents. We have people that rap and do R&B. There’s so many genres of music that get covered. It’s a really cool experience every Monday at 6 p.m.”
Fog Machine includes bassist David Hodges, drummer Taylor Stewart, guitarist/drummer Capers Cauthen and bassist/guitarist Lucas Bunch along with guitarist James Coburn.
“My vision for Fatty’s is to be a music venue and a production brewery,” McLain said. “I want to build out the stage and do lighting and sound and have a full music experience in the next year or so.
Local soul singer and saxophonist Bill Wilson has been playing at Fatty’s since around 2016, and has secured himself a spot Thursday nights.
His solo performances are often rounded out with Hodges on bass and Rob King on guitar — “occasionally Fatty will hop in and do his little thing with us,” Wilson said. “I do a lot of impromptu stuff. I’ll play a few covers here and there. The majority of songs I play I create myself. I’ll be on the piano, playing the horn and vocalizing.”
Though there was a drought for a while for hired musicians, Wilson said, Fatty’s was a haven in 2020.
“Through it all, Fatty’s is a place for me to hone my skills,” he said.
Wilson will be playing Dec. 16, 23 and 30 and Fatty’s Christmas jam and market with bands all day will take place Dec. 18, with superjams to follow on Dec. 20 and Dec. 27.
The Christmas jam Dec. 18 starts at 1 p.m. and the lineup includes Fog Machine, ThunderSunn, John Simpson and Band of Walterboro.
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