I was getting a little burned out photographing so many shows and left the camera at home for these singer-songwriter ones. Since I still went, figured I might as well do some mini reviews. The one underlining theme: All artists were legit in that they were not some hipster cashing in on a new/old trend.
Josh Small/Austin Lucas/Tim Barry @ The Legion of Doom, 4.12.2009
Josh Small
Like his name suggests, Josh is a little guy, and like all little, cute things Josh is infinitely likable. From Virginia he’s not overly Southern sounding (like someone from say Georgia) and not fake like some Midwesterner trying out a guise.
Small’s greatest attribute is his multi-instrument talent which he used to crank out sorrow-filled, bluesy rock. Lyrics didn’t grab my attention and make me want to by an album, but you can’t help nodding your head and tapping your feet to a real deal.
Austin Lucas
Keeping it in the family Austin played with his sister and dad (probably the oldest dude I’ve seen in the Legion basement). They winged it, due to a broken banjo string and not practicing prior to the set, which was nice: sometimes a group so well polished is suspect.
Again, I enjoyed this set, but nothing really hooked me and refused to let go. This is the type of music I want to be a staple on my play lists, but just can’t get too enthusiastic about. Not sure what it is. Maybe Austin keeps his guard up too much?
Tim Barry
Like his best known work with Avail, Tim is hit or miss. The good songs are incredible, some of the best songs I’ve seen performed recently, but the bad ones are a little bland and preachy in the once-roughed-it-and-now-I’m-enlightened kind of way.
Still, after one song I felt comforted knowing he’ll be a professional musician until he dies.
If you get the chance, see Tim live. His stage presence feels like a rowdy Southerner drank a little too much and played an impassioned performance in your living room just for you. Now if we could just weed out some of the filler songs.
Bill Callahan (AKA Smog) @ Used Kids, 4.13
I had never heard Smog, but stumbled upon his show listing at work. After reading a few interviews (can’t really listen to music on the clock) I decided to give him a chance. A big part of that reasoning was Used Kid’s free pizza on Monday, but it was gone by the time I arrived.
Old Bill really packed them into the best record store in town, but I left after two songs. Simplistic music and uninspiring lyrics just aren’t my thing. I wanted to bludgeoned him with used LPs just to stop the never-ending droning that came from his lips and his guitar.
Was this suppose to be outsider art? What about a weird phase resulting from a mid-life crisis? Sure longevity counts for something, but that’s about all Bill had going for him last night.
