Holy Ghost Tent Revival members feel the spirit

On the big-top revival circuit of yesteryear, a successful traveling evangelist knew how to work themselves into a frenzy, summoning raw energy to draw weary souls into the flock.

Holy Ghost Tent Revival's name is aptly chosen. On stage, they always break a sweat. Harmonies may verge on screaming (but stay in tune). Even the skeptical and bashful in the audience find themselves moved by the spirit, twisting and twirling on the dance floor.

Based around multipart vocal harmonies layered with banjo, guitar, bass, keys, drums and trombone, the six-piece group's core sound is acoustic, drawing from swing and big-band roots.

But HGTR defies any genre pigeon-holing. "Needing You," from its 2008 self-titled debut album, starts with horn-laden verses reminiscent of the Skatalites, followed by Avett Brothers-like heart-wrenching harmonies, before dropping into a "doo-doo-wop" closing that's straight from a 1950s-era soda counter.

Its multigenre, poly-era approach also translates into the group's other endeavors. The seven-minute "Needing You" music video features the band playing a high school gymnasium dance, complete with hoop dresses, sharp-looking band outfits and spiked punch. The band members' acting backgrounds are evident in the story that plays out as one boy (lead singer Stephen Murray) vies for his true love against the efforts of a sneering competitor (keyboardist Mike O'Malley).

"We are artists as individuals, so why not do things that are cross media?" says bassist Patrick Leslie on the phone from a recording studio in Carrboro, N.C., where the band is already at work on a second album.

Leslie even drew the cover art for their debut: an owl with wooden arms, sunflower eyes and a scaly fish swimming out of leafy feathers.

The unity evident in HGTR's harmonies, even when banging on banjos and guitars at full volume, extends from their songwriting process. Leslie explains that each song starts with a melody or lyrical skeleton and grows with input from everyone.

"A lot of songs we've written have only become very real to us as time goes on, becoming personal after we've really played them for a long time," he says. "It all depends on the nature of the music and the lyrics. We need to really become friends with it."

The Holy Ghost Tent Revival travels in a 1983 Ford E-150 Econoline van, dubbed the "Good Ship Pillow Talk." From the queen-size mattress stretched across the back seats, songs are born around a guitar or a sing-along.

Traveling in the 'Good Ship' over the band's two-year tenure has been a learning experience.

"We exist in a socio-economic system where it's almost bartering," says Leslie. "We've learned that what we're doing is really a positive thing and that people are willing to give us food and shelter for the enjoyment of music, and I think that's a much more real transaction than money for music."

With their album set to debut in Japan this month, HGTR's positive persistence could soon payoff with tours beyond their current East Coast schedule of bars and music festivals.

Tonight's Pour House performance is just the group's third visit to Charleston, but they've already built a reputation and affinity for the Lowcountry. Just after a few friends and family in their CD liner's thank you's they list "the Charleston Sea at 4:45 a.m."

"We have been waiting for this show since before it was booked," says Leslie. "Charleston's one of our favorite cities: the atmosphere, and the people and the environment. It's always, 'When are we going to go back to Folly Beach?' "

If you go

Who: Holy Ghost Tent Revival with Scythian.

When: 9 p.m. today.

Where: The Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy.

Cost: TBA, at the door.

Hear the Band's Music: www.holyghosttentrevival.com.

Info: 571-4343, www.charlestonpourhouse.com.