Bobby Bare Jr. Credit: Photo by Mary Sledd

Bloodshot Records Party

Yard Dog, Friday, March 14

Thirteen years ago, Chicago indie Bloodshot Records had the novel idea of throwing a daytime party to showcase their bands, offering free beer and a cozy way to spend a sunny afternoon. This year’s event was no different than the past, taking place in the space behind Yard Dog on South Congress and featuring their brand of “insurgent country,” a term that’s lost some meaning considering how alt.country has all but gone away. Andre Williams kicked things off energetically with his raunchy brand of R&B typified by shout-out “Bad Motherfucker.” The rest of the afternoon was a hodgepodge of roots rock that leapt from the guitar-driven angst of the Silos (augmented by the brawny guitar of Jon Dee Graham) to the Eastern European rhythms of New York’s Firewater. Detroit’s Deadstring Brothers brought the full fury of their Stones/Faces vibe, vocalist Masha Marjieh adding a welcome dimension to their brawn and drive. Seattle’s Mark Pickerel used an interesting collection of instruments, including cello and pedal steel, to bring his moody pop to life. As is tradition, the Waco Brothers brought the afternoon to a beery and raucous country close.

This article appears in March 14 • 2008.

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