Grub Dog and the Amazing Sweethearts, Forever Goldrush, Barbara Manning, & The Asskickers

I've been trying not to drink lately, but I had to indulge for this one; there's nothing like a sad song and a beer in your hand. It started before 10 PM and ended just before 2 AM. That's a lot of drinking time.
Just as I got my first Budweiser, Grub Dog and the Amazing Sweethearts started, opening up with a little more energy than your average alt-country act — they pretty much rocked. Dual guitar solos and almost too much feeling. You almost want to give the singer a hug and tell him everything will be all right. Their songs are really long, although not drawn out, just long. I was clocking in at a beer every song and a half, and I think the set was long enough for four. I could have gone for five. At the end they announced that their normal bass player hadn't made it due to illness, but I wouldn't have guessed that they had a replacement — that's how good they are.
Up next was Forever Goldrush. The first thing I noticed were the fucking cool guitars: this guy's shit has to be cooler than him. The singer looked like a pseudo-redneck, wearing a flannel shirt, a tight fitting ball cap and a lot of keys on his chain. They play a slightly dirtier brand of alt-country or whatever you call it. My buzz was developing by now, and I just enjoyed the hell out of it. I had time for at least five beers during their set and had bumped into a few friends, so I didn't pay as much attention to things as I should have. I know they were an amazing band, and I'd like to see them again.
Because I was drunk by the time she played, I really don't know how to aptly describe Barbara Manning's music. It's singer / songwriter stuff, but not like Joni Mitchell.
It was just her and a guitar, a fucking beautiful one at that (a Gretsch Silver Jet, if you care). By this time the whole place was drunk and the conversation was almost as loud as the music. I think she should have gone on earlier. I would have liked to hear her lyrics.
After a long wait — two beers to be exact — The Asskickers took the stage. I've been trying to see them for a while now, but something has always come up. It was worth the wait. They play good old-fashioned depressing country with a pedal steel and all, only with a slightly punk rock attitude. The pedal steel even had a Hucksalt Hedspeed sticker. It was so late, and the booze was flowing so heavily, that they almost became background music: heads were nodding, but most people were too drunk to pay attention. They played a long set, and unfortunately I missed the last song, but I couldn't miss last call at the Lounge. I will definitely see them again though. I'm glad they're local.

– Jim Preston

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