the Paladins & the Incredible Diamonds

I'm on the wagon, my allergies are so bad I look like I've had my ass kicked, and I ran out of cigarettes; I was in no shape for a rock 'n' roll show. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to see the show, I just would have preferred to bring my couch. So when I got there, I found a chair and settled in. I was a little late, but they were nowhere near ready to start. After about twenty minutes, The Diamonds slowly started to take the stage.
Twelver, the bass player, looked like he had just left work, mussed up hair and a bar towel hanging from his back pocket, and drummer Clint sat at a table drinking beer until the absolute last second. These guys are professionals. As always, they sounded great. I don't know how many times I've tried to describe their traditional rock 'n' roll style, so I won't do it this time. They played a few originals, and of course their awesome covers of artists like Ritchie Valens and Eddie Cochran. Matt Hogan walked the bar and coaxed one of the bartenders into blowing fire. More people should have been there to see it. They played a bad-ass set just like they always do — I swear I've written this review at least ten times.
After another 20-minute wait, The Paladins took the stage. I'm sure they were all feeling good, but the bass player was noticeably inebriated. They still sounded good, but I've heard them on a better nights. I think it would have been more fun if I were drunk, but I was tired and my weed was wearing off. They played "Forever" and other old songs and tracks from their soon-to-be-released CD. They are gearing up to leave for Australia and then Europe. That must be the life — traveling the world, drinking beer and playing kick-ass rock 'n' roll. I'm sure they will come back, because the CD should be out in the States by the time they return from overseas. So unless you're a fool, you will come and see them next time. I'm sure we will be treated to another extended blues jam featuring local hero Matt Hogan and The Paladins. It could have gone on forever, but by the time they stopped playing I was practically nodding off in the bar; I was more than happy to go home and go to bed. The only problem was the turnout: if you had gone, you wouldn't have had to waste your time reading this crap, so show up next time.

– Jim Preston

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