By: David de Young
 Anchorhead at Lee's - Photo by David de Young (click for larger version) |
Personnel: Joshua Lemon - acoustic guitar/vocals/harmonica Official website: http://www.anchorhead.net |
Minneapolis' rootsy alt-country/rockers Anchorhead opened up Saturday's three band bill at Lee's Liquor Lounge which featured veteran rockabilly acts the Vibrochamps in the headline slot and The Carpetbaggers filling in the middle. Anchorhead's early place on the bill was a perfect example of why you should both go out early AND stay out late. Their performance was part of one of my most enjoyable nights out on the town in a while (one of my most enjoyable nights out ironically since the last time I was at Lee's.)
Recently becoming a five piece--they just added pedal steel player Jeff Waldeland a couple weeks ago--Anchorhead is a band that defies too much pigeon holing even if they do fit under the Americana umbrella. One thing is clear: Anchorhead blends into Lee's Liquor Lounge as seamlessly as the cabinet of Elvis paraphernalia and the paintings of old time football players on the paneled walls.
Recently Anchorhead released "Love and the Color Blue," recorded at Third Ear Studios and released on Machine Shop Records (2002.) It's an admirable and listenable album which has deservedly been getting airplay on local radio's local music shows. A few songs into their set Saturday they played "Whiskey in the Snow," a fast picked and extremely catchy song sung by Todd Holdman that I'd heard for the first time the previous Sunday night on Jason Nagel's Minnesota Music show on Cities 97. Wednesday's City Pages also featured a good article by Sarah Sawyer which was enough to encourage me to download a bunch of their MP3's from their website. Hearing a few of their songs was enough to solidify my Saturday night plans
Joshua Lemon plays acoustic guitar and harmonica. Todd Holdman plays bass. And Tony Thomas plays electric guitar and occasional mandolin. All of them seemed more than content to be hanging out on the short Lee's stage on Saturday night having a few beers. All three share vocal and song writing duties in the band. Having three talented vocalists provides for some sweet harmonies in most songs. "Virginia" even has a bit of a Jayhawks feel to it. But the vocalist who best defines the Anchorhead sound is Holdman, who stands not necessarily front but pretty much center as bassist. "Whiskey in the Snow" (here's a direct link to the MP3) is a great introduction to these guys and features Holdman's distinctive and unaffected vocals.
Anchorhead's music features unassuming hooks, nice breaks, and an overall (you can read that as Oshkosh B'Gosh if you like) down home feel to it. They have the laid back stage presence of local down-tempo Americana purveyors The Ashtray hearts, but they play a larger percentage of up-tempo songs. Anchorhead may not be the most exciting band in town, but I don't think that's on their list of things to become anyway. One thing is for sure, they are really easy to listen to and will not wear you out. Expect to relax, have a few beers, still be able to talk to your friends, and enjoy.
Lemon starts out "Madison St.", with a forlorn sounding harmonica solo. As the song becomes a mid-tempo roots-rock ballad about wishing to return to that proverbial "home," a couple takes to the dance floor to begin a two-step. I notice Lemon's habit of singing with his eyes closed and eyebrows raised, a beer or two ever ready on his guitar amp.
After a fun up-tempo rockabilly song called "Coming Home" someone in the audience calls out "play all night!" Holdman glances at his watch and says, "Actually we're only going to play another 23 minutes." "Or all night," Lemon casually adds.
Holdman immediately leads the band into "Never," which features all three front men in cool harmonies.
After the only cover of the night, Johnny Cash's "Big River" (which appropriately makes reference to St. Paul) Holdman announces they're going to try to squeeze in 3 more
As more and more dancers take to the floor, the band only manage two more songs, "Double Wide" which is practically straight country and "St. Paul" another tip of the hat to the city across the river, both from their latest CD. The show ends abruptly, just as casually as it began and the band leaves the stage and joins the rest of us as fans at the bar.
Anchorhead have generously made all 13 songs from their album available on their website at http://www.anchorhead.net.
Location Info:
Lee's Liquor Lounge
Artist Info: Anchorhead
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