By: Robby RipChord
I have been following Lucero since about 2004 and have seen them in concert about 3 or 4 times. They’re a real tried and true rock band from Memphis Tennessee with various influences ranging from The Pouges to The Ramones but most notably Springsteen. It’s country(ish) music with stories of love, hope and despair at a faster, more unique pace with often sweeping and or crunching guitar, sweet piano and Ben Nichols’ whiskey soaked voice. Lucero lacks the banal copycat nature of traditional country rock. It’s music that lends itself as much to a rock show as it does to an acoustic session without missing a beat.
I just found out they officially got signed to Universal for 4 albums, the first to be released in October, and couldn’t be more happy for them. The band makes a living on the road, touring all over America, and apparently hard work does pay off in the music business if you don’t suck or sell out.
Last October I saw lead singer Ben Nichols in Chuck Ragan’s Revival Tour and the man was on crutches. I met him as he was hobbling along amongst the crowd at the First Unitarian Church and he had explained to me and some other people how he had hurt his ankle but I was too drunk to remember. All I know is the guy got up on stage on one leg and played guitar and sang like nothing was wrong. The first time I saw Lucero in concert at the North Star Bar, one of the guitarists messed up a bunch of songs towards the end of the last set, as i have heard drinking is something they also do pretty well. The shows are usually sing-alongs, with every audience member screaming along with Nichols.
There has been steady progression in their work from the self titled Lucero in 2001 to the well produced Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers in 2006 and Im sure their upcoming release 1372 Overton Park will be another step in the right direction.
Check them out in Philly on October 16th at:
Starlight Ballroom
460 N. 9th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Tickets are $16.
Check out most of their albums on MySpace