How do you know
you're in an Irish pub?
Look for a flyer like
this on the wall.

(click to enlarge)

Are you sure this is where we want to go?
 

KRISTI:
Yeah, I've been here before a few times.
 

ME:
Uhhh... it looks kinda quiet.
 

KRISTI:
Yeah, but they've got a band inside. It's probably lots of people but they're just carpooling.
 

ME:
Alright, I'll just park over here. I guess if there's no cover it won't matter and we can split.

We walk into the place. Loud music. Half a crowd. Doesn't look promising. But wait... That guy on the guitar is puttin the lovin stank on some blues riffs, but is clearly on a hair above the age to get into this place. The band - a three-piece with two other young fellas as well.

Along with the blues, they threw in some classic rock and some new stuff too.  A well-rounded set list that surprised me from such a young trio. I grabbed some video of a couple songs and at the end of the set, approached the guys as they packed up. I congratulated them on a great show and let them know I would be blogging about them.

It very soon then that I learned that the drummer, Jesse, ate the ghost of JFK's stiff-jawed accent. I asked whether him being from Boston was what got them the gig at this Irish pub, and I didn't exactly get a straight answer. Playing along, I said, "So what, it was iffy until you said 'It's not smaht to faht in the cah.' and then they let you in, right?" YESSS! The guys laughed and admitted that was exactly it - and as a useful by-product of the phrase, it really isn't smart. Jesse, by the way, must be a Muppets fan, because he slings his head around like Animal whilst playing the drums.

The bass player, Jarrod, had a wicked solo in the middle of the show. My friend Kristi was with me this night and she was talking to someone as the thumping began. Without taking my eyes off Jarrod, I tapped on the table at her - "Dude, dude, dude." And then she sat staring as well while the bassist ran his fingers up and down the frets like a boss. Yeah, that's what I said.

Now, for some reason, a good percentage of the crowd did not know how to clap. I took up some slack there, but one person can only do so much. Bands, remember to check the coordination and motor skills of the people you invite to your show, or you may never know whether they liked the performance. 

Here to the right, we have a paper coaster I presented to the band mates, requesting "whoever has the best handwriting, please jot down the name of the band, the members' names and what it is y'all do." 

As Kristi and I walked in the place, the boys were playing House of the Rising Sun and their last tune was some Rage Against the Machine. Video clips follow...