Have you ever been to the Tequila Ranch in Cleveland’s warehouse district? Until August 10, I hadn’t. So when I heard the Lords of the Highway and The Whiskey Daredevils were playing, I didn’t think anything of it. Then I got there.
The warehouse district sort of reminds me of San Diego’s Gas Lamp quarter — a nice place for a proper night out on the town. By proper, I mean dressed reasonably well, paying for over-priced food, and drinking martinis instead of beer, know what I mean? Didn’t exactly seem like the sort of place to see two bands that revel in their white trash, just barely removed from hillbilly, persona –- no disrespect to hillbillies, I happen to consider myself one.
Walking into the “Ranch” didn’t help my opinion much either. Man, this was the type of place your momma used to smack you upside the head before you went in telling you to keep your hands in your pockets because she didn’t want to pay for anything you break.
Nestled all the way in the back, off to the left and up behind the bar, was the stage. When I say up behind the bar, I mean up; I had to crane my neck to see the bands. Anyway, enough of the bellyaching, let’s talk about the bands.
First up were the Lords of the Highway who drip swagger and sexuality as Dennis Bell slings the axe, the ever coy Sugar slaps the dog-house bass and newly added drummer Joey Hissam pounds the kit.
Joey looked like he was still learning the Lords’ repertoire as he seemed just a bit uncomfortable behind his drums. Sugar kept looking back at him, pointing, smiling, and shouting words of encouragement.
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