Concert Review (the Subdudes)

I've always liked the name "subdudes".




I saw the Subdudes at the Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis last night. It was an excellent show. The 'dudes are a veteran band and seemed to have played and sung together for a long time. Like some of my other favorite live acts, the Billy Price Band, Los Lobos, Last Train Home, etc they seem to view their job as "playing music" as opposed to "recording music". They seemed to take great care in the performing of the songs, serious yet fun, rehearsed but still spontaneous. Their playing was excellent and the singing featured many well crafted four part harmonies.
When a 5 person band features 4 part harmonies, it makes you wonder about the 5th guy's voice. Is it that he's just not quite as good as the others or is he just awful? At what point do they say, "Sorry but you don't get a microphone"?

The Subdudes specialize in what I would call "organic" rock. They have a definite New Orleans sound mostly due to the accordian, I guess but really its just good plain rock. I could hear shades of the Neville Brothers and Los Lobos. Plenty of gospel, folk, and rock riffs. All in all a good show. Check them out if you get a chance.