I missed Lucero the last time they came to San Diego because I was too late to buy my ticket for the sold out Casbah show. I downloaded a couple of their songs, and have been listening to them from that time up until their show at the Belly Up. Their music is rock/punk/country: there’s a lot of twangy guitars, slow heartbreak lyrics, and the lead singer’s trademark deep, destroyed voice. Frontman Ben Nichols looks like a normal enough guy, but his voice is more along the line of Tom Waitts. There are five members in Lucero, who originally hails from Memphis, TN,  Roy Berry on drums, John Stubblefield on bass, Brian Venable on guitar, and Rick Steff on piano/organ/accordion. They have developed a good sized following, probably since they’ve played 150-200 live shows a year since 2001. Nichol’s first words as he took the stage was “Wow, this place is a lot bigger than the Casbah.”

To me, however, Lucero is an anomaly. I’m not sure how anyone has heard of them, or why they like them so much. It’s almost like they are an edgier Hootie and the Blow Fish, but for some reason, dudes, primarily tattooed dudes, love them.  I’ve never seen so many guys so excited for a band before, singing along to songs with sappy lyrics, pumping their fists in the air, cheersing the band with their PBRs. I guess what's weird is that all the songs are sad, passionate ballads. It’s like chick music for guys. Maybe it’s the raspy voice that they like, maybe it’s music that walks the fine line between sentimental and cheesy, maybe it’s just a lot of people with the same personal taste. But it’s obvious that Lucero has cut out a niche for themselves, and will continue to increase their fan base. While I wasn’t converted into a fanatic, I did think it was a good show, with talented musicians, and with a different, refreshing sound.