Artists You Should Know: Ha Ha Tonka and Lucero

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Shelley Peckham

Ha Ha Tonka (originally Amsterband) have spent years on the road, honing their craft and releasing two of the best southern-fried Americana albums ever. Their music on record, as strong as it is, barely even holds a candle to their blistering live show. I saw them when they stopped at the High Noon a few months ago with a large group of people who had little-to-no knowledge of Ha Ha Tonka and we all left as massive fans. We had just as much fun watching them as we did the headliners (Murder By Death), who they nearly outplayed—no small feat.

On Friday, July 30th, they’ll be at the High Noon Saloon opening for Lucero—a band with a continuously rising profile, as well as a very strong reputation as a live band. Over the course of seven albums they’ve become somewhat of a perennial underdog band, surprising listeners with each new release. They’ve built up a loyal following, toured with (and gained comparisons to) The Hold Steady. Listeners may also find their sound akin to bands like The Gaslight Anthem, but the most prevalent comparison all along has been to Drive-By Truckers. Just imagine a band with an even more gruff-voiced frontman and whose stylistic emphasis leans decidedly more towards the punk/rock n’ roll thing than southern rock, and you’ve just about got it.

Lucero formed in 1998 and has spent much of their time since 2001 on the road (150-200 shows a year). Everyone I’ve talked to that has seen the band live at one time or another have all described that transcendent visceral in-the-moment feeling every band yearns for their audience to palpate. That should tell you something. What should tell you even more is that, despite all their time on the road, they’ve somehow managed to release seven outstanding albums – each of which could easily be considered a modern day classic, right up to their most recent: 2009′s 1372 Overton Park.

Now when considering Friday night’s show, Ha Ha Tonka alone is well-worth the price of admission, but seeing as how they’re opening for Lucero, there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t go to this. Get your ticket now. It’ll be the best purchase you make all day.

-Steven Spoerl