This Saturday my girlfriend and I went to see Randy Rogers at the Houston House of Blues. Looking forward to the concert all week, we didn't even think to see if there was an opening act. Have you ever heard of Rodney Parker and Fifty Peso Reward? We hadn't. But we're glad we have now.
They're a five man Texas country group from Denton that describe their sound as "alternative country" and "Americana".
Lead singer Rodney Parker looks like he picked up a guitar as soon as he quit the high school wresting team, but carries a great tune with his clenched jaw delivery (a la Lyle Lovett) and cowboy vocals. It doesn't take a trained ear to pick out the punk, alternative, and bluegrass elements in their "Americana" songs. The band takes you from bluegrass banjo riffs to head bobbing punk power chords so seamlessly that you don't mind spilling your seven dollar beer as you rock out.
Unassuming lead guitarist Zach Galindo drapes himself over his guitar and injects the band's sound with a healthy amount of blues and soul. Stage right, accompanist Danny Skinner might appear as if he missed a bus to Seattle, but he anchors a few songs with the down home twang of the banjo or the pub crawlin' accordion charm of their Irish sounding ditty I'm Never Gonna Get Married. Think along the lines of Charlie Robison's tune John OReilly.
Behind Parker and Galindo were drummer Gabriel Pearson and bass guitarist Brooks Kendall. Pearson kept the train rolling along throughout the steadily tempoed Texas Country pieces and brought a little punch during the grungy rock outs. I don't think I saw bassist Brooks Kendall break a sweat the entire night as he stood walking his bass, enjoying the crowd and his ice cold Lone Star.
These guys put on a fun show and I'll be back to see them again the next time they come through. Their first album The Lonesome Dirge is available in stores now.
Visit their Myspace page to listen to their songs including their new single Tell Me What It Is or their website, rodneyparker.com for more info on upcoming dates and band info.
A Knife Beneath Your Pillow
Bring Me a Gun
Shake
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