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The Lemon Peppers at Average Joe’s
by marc moore
I’ve said before that I’m a fan of happy accidents and pleasant surprises.
I like it when I step out into the night, no expectations, and have an amazing night. Those nights are always the most satisfying.
So when we walk into Average Joe’s on Friday night, March 17th, with her friends and colleagues and I’m grabbing a table and talking to the waitress and telling her our drink orders, I’m hearing something in the background, and it’s increasingly getting more and more of my attention: good music.
From a band I’ve never heard before. And they’re local.
Well, technically, they’re from across the border – Nuevo Laredo, but …
Okay, wait.
Stop.
I know what you’re thinking.
Nuevo Laredo - puro pop rock en español.
Puro Agave Azul music.
Why are they playing that kind of stuff at Average Joe’s?
Not that there’s anything wrong with it – it’s just really not my thing.
But that’s the thing. They weren’t playing pop rock en español – well, okay, they did – but just a few, and those rocked. No, what The Lemon Peppers played was a set list that was as wide and varied as it was deep and expertly played, with pure rock and roll balls and energy.
Here’s as much of the set list that I can remember:
-Stevie Ray Vaughn’s Cold Shot
-The Doors’ Roadhouse Blues
-Incubus’ Anna Molly
-The John Mayer Trio’s Who Did You Think I Was?
-As well as The John Mayer Trio’s cover version of Ray Charles’ I’ve Got a Woman
-Alice in Chains’ Man in the Box.
-Pearl Jam’s Animal
-Wolfmother’s Woman
-Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall
-ACDC’s You Shook Me All Night Long
-Sublime’s Santeria
Even some Red Hot Chili Peppers.
And yeah, yeah, some of these songs you’ve heard played before, by other bands that did a sad, half-assed mediocre version, maybe by others that did them justice. Well, these boys from our sister city from across the Rio more than did them justice, they played them with the energy, balls, and fiery rock and roll passion they deserve.
Now I know there are some people that don’t like cover bands, but I don’t mind – if they play their covers well. And these boys did.
Juanito, the youngest at 22, drums with precision and a tight confidence. Guitarist Mario played his Fender masterfully, transitioning from SRV’s blue notes to ACDC trashy, propelling riffs, to the raw grunge of Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Juan, a Laredoan, laid down a foundation of solid bass. Bringing it all together was lead singer Sam, who belted out passionate vocals that fit each of the band’s varied selections, even contributing some blues harp and African drum percussion to the mix.
Great covers played well generates a good mood. And after a serious dose of reality earlier that day, what a person really needs is the comfort of the familiar song they know and love.
So, table grabbed.
Drinks ordered.
Friends gathered.
Toasts made.
Great night ensured.
Lindsey’s best friend, Celina wanders off to the patio to join her boyfriend, while David and Ivette – her colleagues and a very charming young couple – stay. And we talk. And we laugh. Music, questionable driving practices, quitting smoking, and the proper way to salt the rim of a shot glass – with the tequila already in it – are all discussed. Later we hit the patio area and hang with Lindsey’s best friend and her boyfriend. Some of the things discussed can’t be covered here, however, to better protect the innocent.
Then, as we’re pushed out of the patio area at closing, we head in. Lindsey and I catch the band wrapping it up. We chat them up. I ask them about their sound, their varied influences.
We bring everything together, they tell us. I ask them, What should I think of, in five words or less, when I think of The Lemon Peppers. Without missing a beat, Sam responds, “rock seasoning.”
Perfect.
So, that’s it.
The night’s over.
And a great band playing great music made it a great night. The worries and troubles of the day are forgotten. Lindsey and I step out into the night smiling, warm from drink and laughter.
And, surprise surprise, I’m happy.
I found a new local band that’s good.
Really good.
Blogger’s Note: Have to have to thank Lindsey, who showed me tonight that she can really conduct a pretty damn good interview. Thanks!
