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

Web exclusive: WTTS presents Old 97’s, The Drams

 

WTTS presents Old 97’s, The Drams
The Vogue
Monday, July 9, 8 p.m., $15/$17

If you’re not sure what could possibly spice up your Monday after a week of Independence Day festivities — especially since you might be popping the post-party Tylenol or still blinking away the little blue flashes imprinted on your eyeballs from that slam-bang fireworks finale — you should really give a thought to some great music tearing up the night in Indy. On Monday, July 9, WTTS 92.3 FM will present the alt-country, Americana band Old 97’s with the Drams at the Vogue.

Consisting of Murry Hammond on bass and vocals, Philip Peeples on drums, Ken Bethea on lead guitar and vocals and Rhett Miller on lead vocals and guitar, the Old 97’s have quite a bit of history and heat to offer their audience. The band members pride themselves on not holding back for live performances. In fact, the group seems to thrive in the high-powered, free-fall environment — the “gritty sweat-storm” in which they “give it up every night,” according to Miller.

Old 97’s newest release is a double disc live record, “Alive and Wired.” The album features 30 blood-pumping songs, including a flavorful “Coahuila” that regrets the absence of a tequila-drinking brown-haired girl, along with a much-too-true “Friends Forever” that shares some insight on high school life. “Alive and Wired” takes some songs from the band’s past release, “Drag it Up,” but has much more of the energy the group gives off in their live performances.

To get a feel for Old 97’s musical vibe, you have to imagine the strange lovechild of Weezer, Cake and Johnny Cash. Vocally, the group resembles easy-going Weezer, and, lyrically, the band reflects a bit of Cake’s funkiness and take-it-or-leave-it attitude. So where on Earth does Cash fit into all of this? Well, it could be the instrumental side of the music, the rhythm, the style or just the very energy of the songs. There’s a chance you won’t hear the connection at all … but, hey, you’ll just have to go hear the Old 97’s live, now won’t you?