Ladies and gentlemen, quite possibly the best live rock band on the
planet. We've seen them a hundred and sixty seven times, and the Waco Brothers never fail to entertain with their train wreck approach
to country. Subtlety is for the weak, so they've chosen the path of
optimum mayhem and tomfoolery. In their rollicking career, they have
been called everything from the flagship act of the alternative country
"movement" to pure butchery. Both are likely to be correct.
The line-up, in case you haven't been paying attention: Jon Langford (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts), Steve Goulding (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Graham Parker & the Rumour), Alan Doughty (Jesus Jones), Deano (Dollar Store, Wreck), Tracy Dear (World's Greatest Living Englishman), and Marc Durante (KMFDM).
In
a world of corporate-sponsored tours by lame-o alt-rockers complaining
about their hotel suites and "country" stars who owe more to Boston
than Bakersfield, the Wacos go out every night and play as if their
lives depended on it. Their shows at SXSW and CMJ are legendary, and
every year threaten to actually collapse under the weight of their
runaway brilliance. If you're not drunk, sweaty and out of money at the
end of one of their shows, then brother, we pity you.
(From Bloodshot Records, 5/27/09)
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