INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Web exclusive: Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks in Lafayette

 

Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, Punkin’ Holler Boys
Lafayette Brewing Co. (622 Main St., Lafayette, IN 47901, 765-742-2591)
Friday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m., $17, 21+

Singer-songwriter Dan Hicks has an eclectic musical background, ranging from time spent in the San Francisco folk music scene to writing music for television. His lyrics range from the sublime to the ridiculous, all presented with his unique styling and infamous on-stage wit.

Leave it to Hicks himself to describe Friday’s “Holidaze in Hicksville” show: “[In the show], we take on the music for the season, and with tongue planted firmly in cheek and foot tapping on the floor, we whip out such tunes as ‘Rudolph the Bald Nosed Reindeer.’ Of course, with any show we offer signature selections like ‘I Scare Myself’ and ‘Canned Music’”

Hicks and The Hot Licks are playing the 111th show hosted by Lafayette nonprofit Friends of Bob. According to Friends of Bob President Richard Fudge, his group’s mission “is to bring top-notch performers to small venues for early evening shows at affordable prices. The organization is run entirely by volunteers — music fans, so our production costs are smaller.”

Friends of Bob concerts draw a motley crew: “It’s a really mixed crowd of various generations of music fans,” Fudge says. “We get undergrads through octogenarians! Plus many people are willing to come out to hear artists they have not necessarily heard of. We’ve developed a reputation for dependability.

“We’ve always leaped at the opportunity to bring artists considered musical auteurs — Adrian Belew, Richard Thompson, Robyn Hitchcock and the like,” Fudge continues. “Some humor in the mix is always a plus: Neil Innes, Louden Wainwright, Robbie Fulks. Hicks fits on both counts. In fact, we tried some years ago to book Hicks but without success. This time the routing was perfect.”

This is the third year that Hicks is touring with his “Holidaze in Hicksville” show, and the first Midwest stop. Indianapolis’ Punkin Holler Boys will open the show.