Third Annual Best of Barfly features the Cousin Brothers and others

What: Best of Barfly 2007 with Harley Poe, The Future, the Cousin Brothers, Little Voice, Living Proof and Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes
Where: Birdy's Bar & Grill
When: Saturday, May 12, 9 p.m., $6

If you’ve lingered in NUVO’s music section, you’ve seen Barfly, the comic capturing the energy, excitement and attitude of Indy’s music scene. Local artist Wayne Bertsch has documented the Indy music scene in comic form for four years now, and on Saturday night at Birdy’s Bar and Grill, he celebrates his 200th strip with the third annual Best of Barfly showcase, bringing six of his favorite acts from the past year to the stage.

Barfly began when Bertsch designed a mini comic book for the blues cover band Karen and the Beast. NUVO soon approached him about doing a weekly piece. “There was a feeling where I could do it for a while, but I would probably run out of music to cover,” he says. “I guess I have been fortunate with the nature of local music. Bands break up and form new bands all the time.”

The strip is a badge of honor to the bands Bertsch renders into two-dimensional form. “Its sort of a rite of passage,” says Kevin Vickery of the Cousin Brothers, one of six acts featured in Saturday’s event. “I’ve never seen another publication offer anything as original or as useful in tapping into local music. Wayne is a talented artist with his ear to the street, always tuned into what’s going on in Indy music.”

Bertsch assembles Best of Barfly with acts that have excited him over the past year. The original show featured acts like Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s and the Freightliners. Of 2007’s lineup, Bertsch says, “I think the most intriguing band is Harley Poe. They are so hard to define. They’re all acoustic and they have a punk aesthetic, but I don’t know if they fit on a punk bill.” The band hails from Kokomo, and the songs play out like an Ed Wood script directed by horror legend George A. Romero. “They are their own thing, more than anyone else,” Bertsch says. “And that’s why they rose to the top of who I was going to ask [to perform] this year.”

Bertsch was blown away by the Cousin Brothers when he saw them competing in a Battle of the Bands event. Since debuting in 2004, the group has acquired many accolades, including being voted “Best Country Band” by NUVO readers in 2006.

“We wanted to break all of the rules in bluegrass and country music by giving it an edge,” Vickery says. They accomplished their goal, and Bertsch describes the band as “flat out fun.”

Mandy Marie played guitar for the Freightliners at the first Best of Barfly show. This year, she returns fronting her new rockabilly band the Cool Hand Lukes. Marie reluctantly stepped into the spotlight as a vocalist when the Freightliners split up. “Everyone assumed that I was just going to sing, and they won’t let me stop,” she says of her bandmates.

But Bertsch likes what he hears. “It’s all about her vocals,” he says.

Alternative guitar rockers Little Voice will also perform; it’s Lori Davis’ drumming that made them a must for the show. “Lori is solid and one of the best two or three drummers in town,” Bertsch says. “Her drumming is unique and so much a part of the songwriting.”

Bertsch featured Living Proof in one of his first strips and has made every effort to book the band, but, until now, its schedule never allowed it. The R&B/funk band’s talent has garnered it spots opening for Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago and Morris Day and the Time. “It means a lot to be included in such a great show,” says Leonard Patterson, who shares vocal duties with Jessica Epp, whom Bertsch praises as one of the best singers in the city.

Finally, there is The Future, the Bloomington power-pop band Bertsch compares to vintage U2. “They’re ready for radio,” he says, marveling at lead singer Adam Culver’s larger-than-life voice. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they get signed and taken out of here.”

After all this time, Bertsch remains excited about local music, and Barfly remains a vital part of the scene. “I’m grateful the Indianapolis music community has received the strip so well,” he says. “I’m grateful for the readers and to NUVO.”