Austin-raised frontman Joe Lewis commanded the stage in a black leather jacket, sipping from a bottle of High Life between songs and wailing on his dazzling red guitar.
I leaned over and asked my friend, "What kind of guitar is that? A Telecaster?"
A stranger, who was uncomfortably close-by and also leather clad, quickly cut in: "That's a one-of-a-kind," he said. "He's got a P-90 pickup on there with a custom fret board."
I raised an eyebrow. How did he know so much about Joe Lewis' git-box?
"I work at Guitar Center." He pointed to the stage: "And I've seen him at least five times."
I felt like a newbie. It was my first time seeing Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, despite their visit to St. Louis last year and consistent critical praise following appearances at South By Southwest.
I prepared for Wednesday night's show by visiting the Lost Highway Records website and listening to "Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!" (the group's first LP) several times. I was instantly hooked on its garage-soul sound.
So, when Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears played the album's first track, "Gunpowder," I was in happily familiar territory. Joe Lewis' vocals, along with sharp horns and chugging rhythm, brought to mind a Wilson Picket gone punk.
"Any Stooges fans?" Lewis asked before playing a cover of "I Got a Right" that showed just how congruent the heavy-distortion fueled, '70s-era sound was with his own. Another cover, of the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird," delighted the crowd during the band's early yet extended encore.
The biggest cheers, however, erupted during and after "Livin' in the Jungle," from the band's latest album, "Scandalous." With a chunky rhythm guitar and the bold sound of a three-piece horn section (alto, baritone sax and trumpet) backing up Lewis, the crowd reaction was certainly deserved. (I also find it interesting that the song is called "Livin' in the Jungle," yet the lyrics say "Welcome To The Jungle…" To avoid the wrath of Axl Rose's lawyers, perhaps?)
A couple other new tracks made the set, notably the bombastic "Booty City" and the delightfully bass-heavy "Black Snake." Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears have an arsenal of memorable tunes, and they were quick on the draw Wednesday night. Left out of the night's lineup, however, was "Mustang Ranch," from "Scandalous," a song that pairs well with its weird and amusing cartoon music video.
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears are steadily on the rise, and there is little doubt they will continue to play for full houses as they did on Wednesday. Now I'm finally in the club: one of the many fans who have seen the group's explosive live performance. I also will be one of the many fans who pack in to see them again.
