Sometimes the best part of going to a show to see a band you know and love is discovering the band that opens. On Friday night I visited The Independent in San Francisco to see the Trainwreck Riders, one of our favorite bands and performances from SXSW 2007. I was standing at the bar ordering a Sierra Nevada, when I noticed a tall, bearded man in a cowboy hat ordering a dark, iced beverage at the bar. Judging from appearances, I assumed it was not a Diet Coke.
Shortly after, I saw the same mysterious man stroll on stage with a group of other long-hair country boys. I leaned over to my wife and said “They have an electric banjo. This is going to be good.” Then the lead singer spoke into the mic and said, “We’re the Pine Box Boys and we write songs about horrible occurrences.” They started their country/bluegrass/punk assault with a set that included themes of death, murder, mayhem…and humor? It was captivating.
At times I heard David Allen Cole, other times Les Claypool and still others The Pogues, but these guys have a unique sound and concept that other bands wouldn’t dare - a brand of hillbilly horror. They started “I Kept Her Heart,” a song about a man who trades his horse to a man in exchange for his 15 year old daughter. After taking her back to his house and marrying her, one day she confesses that she’ll never love him. Heartbroken, he takes her into the woods, murders her and keeps her heart, but leaves her skull behind. Pretty grim, eh? Well imagine hearing that song while a crowd of people dance the do-see-do. I was in the Twilight Zone and loving every minute of it. If you’re ever in San Francisco, you really need to see these guys.
Andrew, Pete, Steve and Garritt were up next. I saw the Trainwreck Riders in Austin and they were by far the most energetic band we encountered on our trip. They didn’t disappoint on this night either. They are a workingman’s band that hits the stage with something to prove every night. After touring for months, you could see by the looks on their faces that a homecoming to friends and family was refreshing. They stepped on stage with a sixer of Coors and played their brand of country-punk that’s impossible not to love. My only criticism for the show is that I had trouble hearing any vocals. I love pounding drums and crunching guitars as much as the next guy, but I also want to hear some vocals to bring it all home.
All in all, a great night. I discovered the Pine Box Boys and caught the Trainwreck Riders on their home turf. The Trainwreck boys wll be opening for the Meat Puppets next month and with their blue-collar work ethic, will be creating their own luck from there. It’s great to witness a band on the rise.
Trainwreck Riders - Christmas Time Blues
Pine Box Boys - I Kept Her Heart
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Sounds like an awesome show. Pine Box Boys just picked up a new fan. Those lyrics are ominous to say the least.
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