Southern boy band Lucero hops the Mason-Dixon Line to rock the Middle East tonight with their country compatriots, Northstar. Virtually unheard of in the Bay State, this hip indie band with a serious Southern following invades the big city and might just take a few prisoners.
Ask any self-respecting blue-state student, "What kind of music do you like?" and bet on one similarity in their answers: not country. Surprise, eastern elites, this genre is sneakily seeping into many popular bands, most notably the recent indie rock phenomenon Wilco. And though Garth Brooks-style country may never take off in Massachusetts liberal arts schools (thank God), indie rock bands influenced by The Pogues, Johnny Cash, and Tom Waits are gaining ground.
Lead singer Ben Nichols' wide-ranged, throaty voice brings a depth to the mellow and melancholy music, and his twangy, scratchy southern drawl is matched by the raw guitar. The band's lyrics show a sense of history, taking cues from Americana.
Though the southern gentlemen pinpoint Johnny Cash and Tom Waits as influences, their sound is unique enough to outdo their own comparison. Most may not be able to place their style, but indie aficionados may perhaps see a likeness in the now-defunct Uncle Tupelo.
The Tennessee-based band once relied on their regional label, Madjack Records. Gaining attention, the band made the jump to Tiger Style Records, a New York City-based label, which produces a number of known indie bands.
Early on, Lucero demonstrated maturity and depth rarely found in contemporary rock. Their first record with Madjack Records, "Tennessee" (2002), illustrates their painful, poignant lyrics. On the song "Slow Dancing," Nichols belts out the heartfelt, tender verse, "Smoking cigarettes more than I should/My hands won't stop shakin' and that can't be good/I would forget you if only I could/Think about anything else."
Lucero isn't all aching heartbreak and shattered love, though. Listen a little longer on the same record and catch the gem, "Ain't So Lonely." The beat is reminiscent of more typical country songs, calling to mind the image of a Texan guy in a ten-gallon hat moving his head to the beat. But somehow, Nichols manages to infuse more typical punk into the song. Another upper is "Chain Link Fence," in which Nichols sings about a crush. Catchy and less country, the song is a welcome relief from the band's more morose fare.
Lucero's first Tiger Style album, "That Much Further West" (2003) is a departure from their Southern roots both musically and regionally. Faster, catchier and less raw, Lucero keeps their distinctive blend of southern country and indie rock, but this album will likely expand their fan base to include a more mainstream audience.
Lucero is on the brink of breaking onto northern playlists, and their position is best described by the band itself, encapsulating the South within a greater context. In "Further West," the band explains their singular status as a country band poised on the indie threshold with their song, "Tears Don't Matter Much." With a rocking backbeat, Nichols sums up his particular orientation with the words, "I'm just another southern boy/Who dreams of nights in NYC."
Tonight when they take the stage at the Middle East, they will undoubtedly surprise and impress. Teaming up with fellow confederates Northstar, this jamboree is worth a trip; they're not just whistling dixie.
-Stephanie Vallejo contributed to this article.
