Tomorrow’s Caveman w/ the Electric @ Way Out Club 1/17/02

When members of Tomorrow’s Caveman and the Electric manned the jukebox before taking the stage, the night was theirs to lose. Most in attendance on Thursday night were psyched as loads of AC/DC, the Who, and the Sex Pistols came screaming out of the speakers. If nothing else, both St. Louis bands have some pretty good taste. In fact, a member of Tomorrow’s Caveman was overheard name-checking Amon Duul!

Unfortunately, wow-ing us with nods to Krautrock only go so far. When they actually plugged in for two ill-advised sets of late `60s/early `70s rock star posturing, there was hardly anything referential or even tasteful about the music. Consequently, when the respective lead singers clutched the mic and yelled “Rock’n’Roll” or referred to the audience as “Brothas and Sistas,” it was simply embarrassing.

Tomorrow’s Caveman should change their name to Yesterday’s Guacamole. It tastes good when you make it, but put it in the refrigerator overnight, and it turns brown and watery-so much so that you don’t want any more. What most don’t know is that by putting the core of your avocado in the guacamole, it stays good for days to come.

Tomorrow’s Caveman has all the ingredients of a great band but gets old quickly. They are missing that core-that secret ingredient that keeps them appetizing. Musically, it seems they’re applying for inclusion on Nuggets, unaware that the deadline is long overdue.

Guitarist Mike DeLeon was a shining exception to Thursday’s poor display. He’s everything a psychedelic guitarist should be, and every time Tomorrow’s Caveman provided a brief moment of clarity, it was because of him.

Junior Brown and Robert Earl Keen w/Brian Henneman @ the Pageant 1/25/02

Every review of this show probably mentions Americana and cowboy hats, so why not get that out of the way in the first sentence? The three singer-songwriters on display at the Pageant might be connected to clich?d terms, but such labeling will distract you from discovering their true identities.

In the simplest of terms, Junior Brown, Robert Earl Keen and Brian Henneman are gifted songwriters with a knack for storytelling. It’s true that their subject matter does cover the highway patrol, roosters and drinking, but careful listening will reveal that each has a distinctive talent.

Henneman, best known for fronting the Bottle Rockets, went at it alone on Friday, playing a brief ten-song set in preparation for an upcoming West Coast jaunt with Jay Farrar. “Welfare Music,” “Hey Moon” and “1000 Dollar Car” are great pop songs that sounded perfect behind Henneman’s friendly drawl. His warm singing sounds are like the best friend you never had, bringing to mind the charming qualities of Randy Newman. One new song even features the Newman-esque lyrics, “We can get together in any kind of weather/And you can make it turn out nice.” Clearly, this was the set of the night.

Up next was Keen, a good-natured songwriter whose records have become increasingly carefree since his debut. When a fan described him as “Jimmy Buffet with a Texas twang,” you scowled, but noted it could be true. Remarkably, Keen proceeded to mention margaritas three times during his allotted 75 minutes, making that audience member sound like a blinding genius. Everything was safe and contrived, although an undeniable charm loomed over each song.

Junior Brown and “Big Red,” his custom guit-steel guitar, were entrusted with headlining duties, which provided an odd change of pace in following such personable songwriters. His deep voice and dangerous guitar playing took quite a while to get used to, but made for the most rocking moments of the evening. Capitalizing on a late wave of crowd enthusiasm, Brown quickly started into his best song, “Highway Patrol,” and later tore through a lengthy medley of guitar history, featuring “You Really Got Me” and “Foxy Lady,” amongst others.

In summary, most probably won’t be able to recall the specifics of the night, but will tell you they had a great time listening to three unique voices share their lives through songs and stories. Make no mistake that the ability to provide others with a means of escape, if only for a couple minutes, is the songwriter’s greatest gift of them all.

The Handsome Family @ Frederick’s Music Lounge 1/26/01

When Lounge proprietor Fred Friction told the crowd that they were in for some “twisted bedtime stories” courtesy of the Handsome Family, band members Brett and Rennie Sparks stood in the corner politely smiling, clearly enjoying the moment.

Strange, but if you sold a band member-penned book at your gigs called Evil, you’d be ecstatic as well. The Handsome Family lives for such cryptic recognition, partially because it sells records, but mostly because it adds substance and intrigue to their odd stories of doubt, depression and winter.

If Gomez and Morticia Addams were rock stars who lived in Albuquerque and listened to Harry Smith’s collections of folk music, they would sound like the Handsome Family.

Rennie, an accomplished author in her spare time, writes lyrics that songwriting husband Brett sings. On stage they’re swamped with instruments, although Brett usually sticks with guitar while Rennie provides bass, French horn and gorgeous backing vocals.

The on-stage banter between husband and wife (“Do you have a quarter?” “No I don’t have a f****** quarter!”) provided some much-needed lunacy in light of songs with such emotional depth. Besides creating comfortable tension between each other, Brett and Rennie riled the audience. With chatty regulars at the bar paying no mind, Rennie periodically taunted them to the delight of the numerous faithful that packed the sold out show.

Immediately they launched into the incredible “Weightless Again” that wiped the lingering smiles off everyone’s faces. “This is why people OD on pills and jump from the Golden Gate Bridge/Anything to feel weightless again” sings Brett. It’s a song, like many on the night, that doesn’t turn a blind eye to the darkest of human conditions.

The waves of humor and seriousness finally receded with the band playing two requests, “#1 Country Song” and “Pony” (in some form), augmented by Friction on spoons. In many respects, it was a bogus ending to an otherwise flawless night, blowing an opportunity to unleash another brutal tale of humanity on the audience. However, being the last night of their lengthy tour, they were clearly tired and wanted to get on the road back home to New Mexico. So we bid our two lovable outcasts farewell, knowing they’ll return, but wishing they could stay for a minute longer. The Handsome Family aren’t afraid to admit that life often sucks, but are somehow able to express it in a way that makes you realize a good day is any day you’re alive.