WACO Brothers

The disc is stuffed with 16 tracks making for a nice long listen, although you might expect it to be over quickly as the music often moves at a clip like a 33 record played at 45 speed (you youngsters, ask dad what this means!). “Blink of an Eye” plays out like this with a frenetic bass line that must have left bassist Alan Doughty exhausted after this tune, and it was only the second one of the set! Pedal steel guitar adds just a slight hint of country influence on the next tune “Too Sweet to Die.” “Red Brick Wall” is a simple 12 bar blues tune played like a country/honky-tonk jam tune. Fans of the band will recognize the songs, culled from their Bloodshot Records CDs all the way back to the first one. The band rotates lead vocal duties throughout the show. Mandolin player Tracy Dear takes his turn and gives us some good advice on the wild tune “Do What I Say,” “Do what I say, not what I do.  There’s already one of me, we DON’T need two...”

The band supports a number of progressive causes, including elimination of the death penalty. True country music, however, is not afforded the same support as they rant through “Death of Country Music,” something they say they’ve been working at for years. With the majority of the band having British roots songs often sound like Clash tunes, or Ramones tunes sung by a Brit. Several of the tunes even hint at ‘70’s Stones tunes. The resulting mix is wild, energetic and fun. If you like live music and rowdy shows you’ll love this disc, but be prepared to be exhausted!

Artist Name: WACO Brothers Album Name: Live & Kickin’ at Schuba’s Tavern, Chicago Website: http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artists/wacobrothers/ Record Label: Bloodshot Records Release Date:

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