Otis Gibbs, the Bottle Rockets and the Yayhoos at Mercury Lounge Part 1

I have a MySpace. if you know what it is you can go see it, God knows why because this is infinitely more entertaining, but it exists. I started it basically to keep up with some folks and sometimes it’s easier than email if you see someone’s face when you log on, it’s somehow more personal and a reminds me to stay in contact a bit more. Staying in contact has never been my strongest suit (that’s a joke for the Broadway fans out there…or maybe the Elton fans) so the MySpace helps.

After I’d had it for awhile it occurred to me that bands and celebrities and such have MySpaces too and you can friend them and be updated on their goings on. So I started seeking out bands and performers that I enjoyed and friending them with the idea that when they came to NYC I could see them in concert since the MySpace would tell me they were coming. I have no ability to track a band and see where or when they are going places, I need them to tell me. I know, it’s kinda sad, but hey, deal with it.

So yesterday the Bottle Rockets posted a bulletin saying that they were going to be playing the Mercury Lounge right here in beautiful NYC. Bingo! My plan had worked to perfection. Here was a band telling me they were coming to town (well, me and anybody else who is their friend on MySpace…thousands…so it’s not like they called my cell and said, “Yo, Swanny, come on down to the Merc, dude!”). Seeing that I checked the Mercury Lounge and found that tickets were only $13 so I bought a pair hoping I could convince the Mrs. to join me. The other band listed on the bill was a group I’d never hard of, the Yayhoos but I figured, $13’s a good deal just for the Bottle Rockets. If the Yayhoos are any good it’s all gravy.

I convinced the Mrs. to join me and after a little misdirection requiring Poo and Lilybell to google the address from the wilds of Park Avenue Extension, we made it to the Mercury Lounge early. We decided to go ahead in since the bill outside listed a third act who’d open up at 7:45, Otis Gibbs. We got a drink, chatted a bit and went in, sat down and listened to Otis sing his folky songs of people power and my personal favorite, Llyod the Reindeer. I think the Mrs. really enjoyed Otis and his ZZ Top Beard and his folky populist ways. I was less than enthused by the message, but then I am a war-mongering kitten eater. As he finished, the Mrs. felt ill and decided to cut her night short. So I was left to see the Bottle Rockets alone.

Well, they did not disappoint. I have a confession now. Going in I’d heard just one song by the Bottle Rockets, Indianapolis, but that was enough to convince me to pay $13 to see them do it. Hell if they’d played that song and ;left, I’d have been content. But they didn’t just play that. They played a good 80-90 minute set of hard rocking and witty songs I’d never heard like Get Down River, Blind, Lucky Break, many more and of course my Indianapolis. They just kicked the shit outta the place. Brian was in fine voice and tore up both the electric and acoustic guitars while keeping the audience in stitches between songs. John’s leads were phenomenal. In fact, I was pissed because I felt his guitar wasn’t present enough in the mix during the early part of the show. I mean he was playing the killer licks and they were lost, but he found it or they found him and then he was able to just fucking soar. Mark Ortmann does not look like he belongs in this band. Obviously he does, but his presence behind the drums was just so out of place that it worked wonders, as did his sticks. Towards the end of the show Brian said how happy they were to be playing on the same stage as the Yayhoos and why. That’s when I realized who the Yayhoos were and that I’d be staying for their set.