Two Gallants, Drakkar Sauna, The Gleam
May 25, 2006
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN

An evening of folky Americana last night at Minneapolis Triple Rock…

Wyoming’s The Gleam opened up the night with a gritty, infectious rockabilly groove. While mostly based on simple country bass patterns, the boys from Chisago County do an incredible job amping up the melodies and energy. And while running reverb through his acoustic guitar, singer Zachary Johns switched between a new and antique mic to enhance the group’s true-blue, “countrified punk” sound. They’re playing the Fine Line Sunday. Check them out.

With their “O’Brother Where Art Thou” meets chord organ (with a hat), Kansas’ Drakkar Sauna didn’t win over the entire crowd, but had some great musical chops. Love the two man band thing with the bass drum and tambourine plodding along steadily. Definitely check out their songs on MySpace.

While we really enjoyed Two Gallants’ second album, What the Toll Tells (review), the energy and intensity just wasn’t there last night. Vogel’s drums were unbelievable, but Stephen’s already strained vocal chords were shot from the busy tour. And while their songwriting is stellar, after two energetic Americana performances already, Two Gallants didn’t quite measure up last night.