A few years ago, the eldest member of the Brothers McC called me to let me know that there was an ‘amazing’ band playing in Brooklyn on the following night. The band; Lucero. Who? You might ask … cause I know I did. Well, as it turned out, the Mrs & I were able to make the show – though we were unable to talk anyone else we knew in to going with us. We jumped a subway train headed off into the Brooklyn night, got to our stop – still had a long walk – but finally made it to the club.
There was a big sign on the door: SOLD OUT !!
Well, as my old soundman Turk used to say, ‘Nothing is ever sold out’ – so we walked in and talked with the doorman. Sure enough, it was sold out, but the doorman was a nice guy and put us on ‘The Guest List’
When Lucero hit the stage that night, two things became readily evident:
One: These guys were going to be fun!
Two: The Mrs and I were the only two people in the club that did not already know every word to every song that Lucero were performing.
The band exploded, the crowd went nuts (try to remember what it was like when you first saw The Clash or The Pogues), and the Mrs & I were caught up in the frenzy.
Skip ahead a year or so, and Lucero again takes the stage, this time with lead singer, Ben Nichols fighting a mean case of laryngitis, but still delivering a killer show. Now I knew that the guy was not only talented as hell – but full of heart as well.
Last night, the Mrs & I (and our faithful man servant, Alan) ventured to The North Star Bar (in Philadelphia) to see the boys back on stage. After an OK set by Glossary, followed up by a great set by Justin Townes Earle (yep, Steve’s kid), Lucero delivered a full on, no holds barred set of rock and roll that helps old guys like me still believe in the power and the glory of rock and roll.
These guys wear their hearts and influences on their sleeves; All the great touchstones are there; The Clash, The Pogues, The Band, CCR, Tom Waits & Springsteen. But there’s also Skynard, & Petty (probably both Tom & Richard), The Replacements and Dylan.
Lucero delivers songs about living with the broken down American dream – but still trying to make good on the promise that any man can do better in this world than his Dad did. The songs can alternate between stark and funny, full on power with the crowd shouting along or so quiet the entire crowd actually shuts up so they can hear each word.
I know there are a lot of buzz bands out there these days – and I’ve seen & heard a bunch of them. But, right now, for my money, there is no better band (that doesn’t have a guy named Springsteen in it) out there than Lucero. No one has better songs. No one delivers a better live show. And no one can still make you ‘believe’ the way that they believe.
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