BAND SPOTLIGHT | The Legendary Clampetts

They hail from the Springfield area, they’ve been around for ages and stake the claim of being “just the best damn unknown rock-n-roll band in the land.” These last-name-lacking bandmates Mike, (bass, vocals), Mark (guitars, keys, vocals), Wes (lead and slide guitars, vocals) and Jeff (percussion, vocals) are a fun-loving, music-making, take-no-prisoners bunch. According to the their promotional description, “Ya take some Big Bill Broonzy, add a dash of Lightnin’ Hopkins, throw in some Yardbirds, De-Troit Soul, Southern Roots and American Jam, heat that bad boy till it’s a bubblin’ crude and there ya go-go.” With shows from Illiopolis to St. Louis, Sauget to Springfield, a live appearance on WQLZ and a slot at the Feb. 25 Access 4 fundraiser at Maldaner’s, the rambunctious roustabouts keep busy. Instead of releasing CDs, the intrepid band likes to introduce singles online with a recent one addressing international politics in, “What Ever Happened to Idi Amin?” Granny and Jed would be proud.