From the sound of it, you would have no idea that the Paradise was anywhere near Boston this past Thursday night. When Lucero took the stage, the club was transformed into a dingy bar in the middle of nowhere in the state of Tennessee, U.S. of A. With singer Ben Nichols playing ringmaster to the Southern punk symphony, he led a solid two-hour plus set that had the crowd swarming, fist pumping, and belting out lyrics as if it was the only thing they knew.
Before the hour of Southern hospitality, New Jersey scuzz-gaze rockers Titus Andronicus took the stage. Considering the hipster illuminati have taken such a liking to the quintet, the band would seem to be an odd choice of opening acts, often getting lumped in with the likes of feedback-rendered garage rockers such as Vivian Girls and Deerhunter. However, from the minute drummer Eric Harm thumped the kick in the same manner that has guided Jersey musicians from Springsteen to Gaslight Anthem, it's clear the band is a different beast. Even though the audience was late (and still arriving to) the party, the band played an impassioned, ear-shattering set that certainly got a handful of folks moving around.
Yet, it was Lucero that brought the crowd in, and it was Lucero the crowd came to see. Rambling onstage, frontman Ben Nichols quickly took an audience request and proceeded to jump into "Bikeriders," though the band's equipment was having none of it. Although the Memphis band began the set battling a messed up PA connection, poorly-connected guitar strap, and their own missteps, a large portion of the audience proceeded to belt out lyrics like nothing was wrong. By the time the group rolled into their staple cover of Jawbreaker's "Kiss The Bottle" two songs later, everything was in its right place and the rest of the crowd came alive.
Lucero proceeded to perform for over two hours, cramming a sampling of hits, new songs, and slightly-obscure tunes into the night. Known for being something of a band's band, the group clearly enjoyed their time onstage, swapping smiles and jokes with one another as they pounded back whatever alcoholic concoction was in their hands. Nichols' raspy voice sounded fit for an old world traveling bluesman and twice a grizzled. And yet, despite the songs about heartbreak and booze, the band was certainly cheery and down to earth, with Nichols offering the mic to one humbled fan towards the end of the set.
Towards the end of the set, the band began to get a little sloppy. It could have been the long set. It could have been the effects of the alcohol. It could have been fatigue from constantly touring. Fortunately, what was still there was an urge to carry on and continue playing, even if Nichols forgot the lyrics, or someone missed a couple of notes, and even if the group was worried they wouldn't be able to play a certain song because it had been years since they last tried. Yet, they soldiered on, and much to the delight of many a fan screaming out every last Lucero song. By the time that the group lumbered and stumbled off stage, it's hard to say who might have been more grateful: Lucero for playing to a receptive crowd, or the audience for having been treated to a long, oft-sloppy, and completely heartfelt show.
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