The Black Lips along with Poppy Jean Crawford and And How fill the Front Room at the Slowdown

The Black Lips performing at the Slowdown in Omaha, Nebraska on Saturday, March 7, 2020. (Photo credit: Dean Birkheimer)

DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine

When you can maintain your southern roots and still be punk and just for kicks throw in some blues, you can then be called The Black Lips. Formed in 1999 this band is still going strong and without a doubt can boast one of the better stage shows on tour.  It was however kind of tough as this show was in the Front Room at the Slowdown in Omaha, Nebraska.  The Front Room has a small stage and is basically a platform in a bar.  Despite this, each band did an amazing job entertaining the 125 or so people who showed up for this wonderful night of music.

Tonight’s [Saturday, March 7, 2020] opening act was a local band who go by the name And How. I must confess that I’ve never heard of them before and I must also confess that I will hear them again and again and again. What a wonderful ensemble. The music they play is so diverse, so witty and so joyful.  These guys are a fun band.  I was amazed at how much stage strutting they were able to do despite the little amount of space available to them. The band is a photographer’s dream and I can’t wait to see them on a bigger stage where they really have room to strut their stuff.

Poppy Jean Crawford was up next. You may recall a review I did of Poppy Jean as she/they opened for Starcrawler at the Reverb back in October. Although it’s only been about 4 months since they’ve been in town, it is my wish this band comes through Omaha every 4 months. I can never get tired of seeing this band. Poppy Jean and her red Rickenbacker are absolutely mesmerizing. You simply cannot take your eyes off her.  Hailing from L.A. she has a seductive way about her and her shoegaze, distortion-based sound makes her a force to be reckoned with.  There is only one way to listen to Poppy Jean Crawford and that is blistering loud. Although her voice is soft and floats gently, her style is dark and pulsating which results in uncontrollable head bobbing. If you’re not familiar with Poppy Jean, then, please become familiar.

SET LIST:
SAME OLD TRICKS – D.A.D.G.O.D. – FELIX – NOT TODAY – SUPERKISS – BETTER FOR ME – JONSIES GONESIES

Now it was time for the headliner of this evening’s festivities.  The Black Lips are from Georgia (GO DAWGS!!) They have been an important part of the rock scene since 1999.  You never know what you’re going to get at a Black Lips show and tonight was no exception.  The entire evening was full of audience participation and crowd chanting and singing.  The band is known for much more than just music, their antics on stage have gotten them banned from some venues world-wide. Beers flying, TP tossing, stage diving just to name a few of the calmer things this band gets involved with. Their music however is still exceptional, they can hit you with any style of sound and can do it well.  The music is tongue-in-cheek at times and at other times it’s a punch in face.  Again, a band that really should be seen on bigger stage, but did what they could with the room they had to work in.  I’m hoping they come through town again and are afforded a bigger platform to perform. I’ll be there for sure.

SET LIST:
DRIVE BY BUDDY – FAMILY TREE – SATAN – MODERN ART – GEORGIA – ODELIA – DIRTY HANDS – HOLDING ME – CRYSTAL NIGHT – COLD HANDS – GENTLEMAN – BOOMERANG – RUMBLER – GET IT ON TIME – RODEO – GOSPEL
ENCORE:
CHAINSAW – HOOKER JOHN – LOCUST – KATRINA

The Black Lips


Poppy Jean Crawford


And How

All images © Dean Birkheimer
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