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Apples in Stereo The
Holmes Brothers |
Bonnie "Prince"
Billy and Matt Sweeney
It started out with the Bonnie “Prince” Billy & Matt Sweeney show at The Rex. For years I’d heard how this guy Will Oldham (Bonnie) is a genius but for some reason or other hadn’t really sought out his music. So I went into this show with fresh ears expecting a somber and hushed performance from these two yet it was anything but. Performing with a full band along with some dudes occasionally jumping up on stage for backing vocals, this was an all-out rock show. The pictures of Oldham that I’d seen all suggested some mysterious quiet force so I was surprised at the animated stage presence he had this night. At times flailing his arms expressively and hopping up and down, he was mesmorizing. Guitarist Sweeney had to overcome some initial sound issues but once resolved injected wonderful swirling melodies into the songs from their recent collaboration Superwolf. Watching this band I couldn’t help to think that Oldham is some ways is our next Jerry Garcia. He’s able to transport you to a place and time entirely of his creation. And on this night I was along for the ride. (Sorry, my last cliché) As usual, I’m not able to comment on particular songs since I didn’t know any of them and this was the first of many drinking establishments that the night had in store. But thanks to Amazon samples, I can say, for any real fans reading this, that songs “Lift Us Up” and “Blood Embrace” were standouts. There were a decent number of people at the show with all seats full and everyone just taking it in. The only disappointment was that it lasted only about an hour. Another problem was that I wasn’t able to take many pictures as I was too high upon the show start and needed to sit and chill a bit. I also need to get a better camera that doesn’t require a flash on every damn picture. Leaving the Rex, it was only about 10:30 so I headed over to Club Café but nothing was really going on there and on my way out I ran into some friends headed to Jacks so I joined them for a couple $1 Miller Lites. After a little bullshitting and trying to verify a rumor that Roethlisberger was in the back (never found out) I headed over to Excuses. Excuses has an open stage jam every Thursday with a house band and different guest performer each week. Tonight’s guest was Billy Toms, noted guitarist from Joe Grushecky’s Houserockers. I saw Joe and the band recently up in Dormont and realized that these guys must be the most ugly band rocking today. I mean this lovingly, of course. Grushecky’s a huge, imposing figure but with a protruding gut and a balding onion dome to top it off. His bassist, Art, is your average aging Pittsburgh yinzer whose arms and legs are about as thick as a polish kielbasa. And then there is Bill Toms. One of the younger guys, Billy is plagued with those dark circles around his eyes that suggest he’d just shot up a bunch of smack, which obviously is not the case. But Billy, please, drop the skintight black Under Armour shirt. Nuff said? Well the dress code was more relaxed at Excuses as Bill and the band tore through a number of blues-rock standards. There was only a small crowd here of about 10 or so. They played a couple of tunes and then wrapped it up. Any Thursday night here is a safe bet as the house band is very tight. Seeing Bill attack his Fender in all rock’s glory was a bonus. BTW. Bill rocks out with BRUCE occasionally as a member of the Houserockers. Great picture here. So out the door and to the other end of Carson St. I dropped into the Hard Rock Café. A small crowd of around 25 hung out watching The Boogie Hustlers. Now here’s an example of something that, on it’s face, I wouldn’t give the time of day. Terrible band name. A bunch of young white kids flanked by two brothers playing the horns. But hell! These guys could jam. Fronted by two young lookers, this band was able to bring on the funk and had the girls screaming while they did it. The Hustlers are a party band to the Nth degree. This finished past 1 A.M. but as I jumped on my bike I heard some sounds emanating from the nearby Red Star Tavern. Was this just some piped in Muzak characteristic of the chain bars that currently surrounded me, I thought? Alas no, it was another band. And since I had already called in drunk to work for the next morning I thought why not. Wifey will be asleep anyway. Inside the Red Star Tavern was a small group of people that probably weren’t going to work Friday either. The singer had on one of those country music cowboy hats so I feared the worst. I don’t know if it was the alcohol but I dug these guys also. I guess all of Station Square was in a funky mood because they tore into “Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Mice Elf” and it was jammin. A weird night indeed. |
