Once referred to as “Willie Nelson’s favorite new group,” San Angelo’s Los Lonely Boys may just be many peoples’ favorite group, or one of at least. Their style of blues meets old school rock-and-roll, what they refer to as “Texican,” really gets their fans pumped up. This was apparent at their packed concert at Stubb’s Saturday night.
Los Lonely Boys drew quite a mixed crowd that consisted of everyone from older Latinos, corporate types with Hawaiian shirts and golf polos, bikers, Affliction wearing “bros” and a few kickers. That crowd was there pretty early for tour opener Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real (POTR). Son of Willie Nelson, Lukas is a chip off the ol’ musical block. He looks like his father and his voice is strikingly similar, only listening to Lukas & POTR is like listening to a younger Willie Nelson on three or four Red Bulls. Nelson shreds on the guitar and loves him some blues. The loudest cheers during POTR’s set was when Henry Garza joined them on stage for a couple of songs. POTR’s music and vibe was a perfect fit for this show and the crows seemed to enjoy the set.
The Los Lonely Boys came out to screaming cheers an opened with a little music medley that included Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” The early party rock vibe made perfect sense as they are touring to support an album called Rockpango, which is slang for “rock party.” Even more important, it was Henry Garza’s birthday. After a few new tracks from Rockpango, a birthday cake was brought out for Henry and everyone in attendance sang Happy Birthday to him.
The second part of the set included Lukas Nelson, whom Henry referred to as their “brother from another mother,” joining the brothers on stage for a few songs, including a great cover of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s classic “Pride and Joy.” The clock was ticking by then and I thought for sure that was their closing song and I escaped “Heaven.” I had no such luck as Los Lonely Boys closed with the song that made them popular to the masses. I guess you have to give the people what they want, despite not sounding anything else like the rest of their solid catalog. The fans loved it though, and that is all that matters.
(Los Lonely Boys performed at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas on May 14, 2011)
Tom Cavanaugh says
My review of the Los Lonely Boys tonight in Chandler AZ sent to LLB website.
Regarding the Chandler AZ show, March 2nd, 2012.
Tell your band to totally scrap the acoustic show other than maybe getting intimate with 2 or 3 songs a night. Otherwise, the acoustic show is killing them.
Don’t get me wrong, I love LLB. One of my favorite bands of all time. But tonight was a total disappointment for me personally.
Wasn’t blown away by the show. I think the Chandler center for the arts has a martin sound system that is barely adequate for that venue. Bottom end wasn’t getting it, not even close and the vocals were barely intelligible. Plus, I’m just not into the acoustic show when it comes to pro bands who normally have electric guitar. I want the kick drum to kick me in the heart and the strat and Marshall to take my face off. Neither did it for me or my wife. At one point I caught her sleeping and she’s a rocker at heart!!!! She loves music. It put her to sleep. First band, the Dunwells, thought they had good song writing, great harmonies, but they were putting us both to sleep by the 4th song. You need a band that wakes people up, not puts them to sleep. Los Lonely boys started out the same, Jo jo looked liked he was ready to fall off his chair., but from the middle part where they tore it up with the Latin perucussion thing was pretty damn good. From there on out was decent, thank God, but too little too late.
Ringo is totally under-rated as a drummer/percussionist. The guy has a great feel in the pocket. Loved it. If it wasn’t for Ringo, the band would have died tonight.
Overall I really hate acoustic concerts. Would have been content with a movie at home. Ringo saved the night. They sit on their chairs and look like they are barely getting though it all. Tell them to throw the chairs away, pull out the stage show and get back to rockin it the way they need to rock it. I for one, will never attend an acoustic show again from LLB. Even though they were pretty good, it’s not LLB and not what we want to hear. We want energy, not a living room or coffee house show. Screw that. The acoustic show is Passe’ and 90’s has been. Get off your asses so we in the audience get off our asses as well.
Signed,
Tom Cavanaugh
Chandler Arizona