Bridge City Sinners @ The Historic Nile Theater
It’s funny how things work out. Picture getting tickets from a friend to go to a coveted show with your partner as a Valentines gift. Then you find out you get last-minute special access. Wild, right? Yet, that is exactly what happened to allow the Punk Pack to cover Bridge City Sinners at the historic Nile Theater with Jason Dea West as well as the aforementioned friends, Mike and the Molotovs.
If Mike and the Molotovs sounds a bit familiar, you might have seen Mike Lee in another band, Goth Brooks. Though Mike has hinted that we should keep an ear to the ground for Goth Brooks, the Molotovs bring cow punk instead of industrial country. The Pack had already been fans of the band though this was our first live show. Honestly, we cannot encourage you more to catch Mike and the Molotovs live whenever you can. Their sound alone is raw when playing a live set and after hearing it, there is only one way to listen to the Molotovs; live. As further proof of the band's blue-collar roots, Mike ended their set demanding, “free Luigi" brandishing a photo of Luigi Mangione during a cover of Madonna’s “Material Girl.” It only further bolsters the bands message that there is nothing wrong with being blue collar or middle-class is nothing to be ashamed of. That people of all classes deserve to stand up for themselves no matter the background.
Jason Dea West was a delightful experience. The Punk Pack have a sweet spot for folk music. His lyrics are masterful and even sweeter with anarcho-punk roots. It was a great surprise to the Pack to learn that West is an Arizona local that we've had not heard him prior. Each song by West is steeped in personal experience which only bolsters his rustic sound and anchoring message to hold tight to your beliefs and never waver. The Pack will be listening for more by West as well as his current band, Intuitive Compass.
As excited as the Punk Pack are to see the Bridge City Sinners, our bodies were not ready for the range and talent as they own the stage. We’ve never witnessed this level of comfort on a live stage and the Sinners make it look like a second home. Their charm is is only eclipsed by the force of their sound. Bridge City Sinners effortlessly bottles southern gothic as the foundation and builds upon it with the swing of folk music. Libby Lux’s vocals have an incredible range to bounce between clean and screamed, displaying the mastery that the Bridge City Sinners has honed. Watching the energy of Lightin’ Luke with his fiddle in hand inspired memories of friends in the performance and entertainment industry with the air and pose of chaotic whimsy. The force of sound from the Sinners is one you will feel around and through you. The Pack’s photographer, and recipient of previously mentioned Valentine’s gift, felt the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming and greatly appreciated the opportunity to not only see one of her favorite bands, but to act on an opportunity to cover them as well. It’s is easy to say that the Punk Pack will not be sleeping on a Bridge City Sinners show ever again as long as we can help it.
The buzz had yet to evaporate as we wandered out to the parking lot in search of our car. The emotional high seems to linger with many folk-punk artists. Yet, we doubt any other band could bring such a massive charge as Bridge City Sinners. Reuniting with friends and supporting our local music scene was a delightful bonus. A show on this degree has only endeared us to the historic Nile Theater more. A special thank you to Mike Lee for reaching out to us and putting this show on our radar. Thank you as well to the Bridge City Sinners for such a bustling performance that the Pack will never forget.
