In a time when over-done Myspace pages and under-produced Youtube videos are the main vehicle for getting music to the masses, Hank III actually has the balls to play live. And it’s not just the fact that he still hits the road doing tours, but Hank simply can kick ass playing to an audience. I’ll be the first to admit that other than “Straight to Hell” some of his other country studio songs are not up to par for my rough taste at least (I’m sure I’m going to get a whole lot of shit from his message board fans, they can be a scary bunch). BUT I eat my words each time I watch III perform with his Damn Band and Assjack. The music is more raw, more rowdy, and more real when he’s live than can ever be produced in a studio. And his audience responds accordingly. There’s no core fan base at a III show. Everyone from middle class skate kids out of the suburbs to scrappy metalheads from the other side of the train tracks. When they see him, they all go ape-shit. The energy shoots up ten fold. Most people wouldn’t think a steel guitar and banjo would be sufficient for mosh pit status, but obviously those people have never been to a Hank III show. He played a good mix mostly from his last couple albums. But the highlight was when he gave the crowd a preview from his upcoming release playing the title track “Rebel Within” (releasing May 25th). Between the fights on the floor and the stage crashers stealing the mic, Hank III is by far the best show of the year in Diego. “You people make it feel like a Friday night!” is what he threw out to the beer-soaked crowd on a quiet Wednesday night. Really, man, its all you. Please, keep playing live.
The Country Set:
Straight to Hell
Thrown Out of the Bar
Smoke & Wine
I Don’t Know
Trashville
Country Heroes
Pills I Took
Rebel Within
Long Hauls
3 Shades of Black
Punch Fuck Fight
Crazed Country Rebel
Low Down
Grand Ole Opry
D. Ray White
6 Pack of Beer
Not Everybody Likes Us
Dick in Dixie