So, 2 weekends ago I woke up to some pretty awesome news thanks to LH. This news being that Lucero was going to be playing a free show in Baltimore at Rams Head Live! I got Andrew to make it up with me. I had been telling Andrew that I wanted him to see Lucero live for quite a while, so I was pumped when he said he was down. For anyone who hasn't heard of Lucero, you should definitely take some time out right now and listen to all of these songs. This is one of my favorite bands and I have often said that this band is one of those bands that really wasn't meant to be heard any other way than live. Lucero have a background in punk, and to see them live you definitely see that come through the whole show. They play with an incredible energy and enthusiasm.
To start the show, Frank Turner came on and warmed the crowd up. I had never heard of the guy, but thought he did a great job. Andrew told me that he was categorized as "punk folk." I would say that is probably an accurate description. He had a sound that mixed both of these styles very well. I heard someone in the crowd say he reminded them of The Pogues, and that is very true. So, if you like The Pogues or Flogging Molly, you would probably like Frank Turner. So, go check him out!
Lucero came on very inconspicuously. It was really cool to watch them interact with the crowd and at one point when a girl offered him a shot, Ben Nichols responded, "I'll save this for later. Trust me, it's better for me and you!" That's right folks, a new and improved Ben Nichols. So, with all smiles, Ben Nichols and crew started the show complete with the fairly recently added horn section.
The show started off really great with songs like "Just That Kind of Girl," "Nights Like These," "Sweet Little Thing," and "Smoke." I thought it was a great way to start off the show, but Andrew thought they started off just a little slow. That may have been my fault as I had been preparing him for all but an all out punk rock show. Lucero still have enough country roots to sing the sad songs as well as the faster, rockin songs. Once again, this was a band that had the ability to pull off what could be a sappy song with just enough sincerity to make into an honest rocker.
They then proceeded to play some very rockin' songs which got the crowd far more engaged. The songs now included one of my personal favorites- "Last Night in Town." This song has one of my favorite lyrics that I always listen to when I'm leaving TN- "Raise up that glass, Goodbye Tennessee." They then played "Tears Don't Matter Much," which ended with lots of spewed beer and a sweaty mob of people. It was a great experience and I was glad that it got somewhat rowdy so Andrew could witness what I had been raving about.
Ben Nichols, with his white tee shirt, tattered jeans, worn out boots, and "bad tattoos" looks and sounds like he's lived a pretty tiresome life. A life which has seen lots of Jameson shots, lots of cigarettes, lots of beds, and more road. The songs they sing are incredibly honest and while most of them are about giving up or losing some girl, they never really get monotonous. This is one bad ass band that really play "Southern" rock n roll in a way that many bands try but never come close to.
Finally, I got to meet Ben Nichols which was great. Somewhat awestruck, I muttered something incredibly embarrassing about how much I really loved Lucero (why the hell can't you think of something cool in these situations!?). He responded with his signature rugged modesty. "Me?! I'm a fucking drunken idiot!"
*Note: I talked with John Stubblefield (bassist) about possibly seeing a re-release of their previous albums (before Rebels, Rogues, and Sworn Brothers) on vinyl. He seemed very excited about the possibility of this happening in the immediate future. I for one am super pumped about this!
