Craig Brown is no slouch. It cracks up your humble Austin Music Minute host to see that he and his band (of course, Craig Brown Band) have kind of described themselves as looking like “a pile of dirty clothes” onstage at their live shows. But this crew delivers one of the most solid and polished performances around, and the front man brings years of expertise and assorted badassery to the party.
Brown is a tremendous presence in the Detroit music scene, known primarily for his work with various other bands as a guitarist and vocalist – most notably for one of the craziest punk outfits on the planet, Terrible Twos. He’s toured with King Tuff, and concurrently contributes some shredding time with New Jersey band Liquor Store. On top of all this, Detroit natives know him as a bartender, cook, and ping pong champion. What can the guy not do?
It was time to step up the game and make his own group. Craig Brown Band made its official debut this year with the album The Lucky Ones Forget, on which you have all the heartbreak and heartache of honky-tonk jukebox country, but imagine that dang ol’ honky-tonk was built and run by punk rockers. Perfection.
You’re in for a treat tonight. Craig Brown Band is in town for a show tonight at Hotel Vegas, 1501 E. 6th St. It’s a damn fine bill this evening, with Talkies, Nick Allison & The Players Lounge, and Payton Andrew Green. Doors at 9 p.m.
Your AMM host saw Craig Brown Band during SXSW this year at the Third Man Records showcase at the Yeti HQ. Check ’em out.
-Photo courtesy of the artist.