By Jim Magdefrau

About a month ago I traveled the backroads outside of Madrid, Iowa, to enjoy a night of roots rock. On the muddiest section of road was a garage, and in that garage was every ‘60s and ‘70s rock posters one could imagine. There were funky lights, candles, mirrors, tie-dye shirts and artwork. This had to be the place for one of my favorite bands, The Bottle Rockets, to play an unplugged acoustic set.
Well, the bass and electric guitar were plugged in. Other than that, it was unplugged.
Lead singer Brian Henneman is a singer who needs no microphone. He has that auctioneer voice that cuts through the crowd noise.
The boys are based out of Missouri. They were at the start of what is termed “No Depression” music. It’s roots, some twang, and no rules. And no hyphens or the prefix “alt.” Straight-ahead country. Oops sorry. There went a hyphen.
They set the rules for the night of them playing one song of their choice, then the crowd yells out a song of their choice. Right off the bat they tore into the problems of owning a “$1,000 Car.” The car died, dang it, years ago. He sang about his dog in a song called “Dog.” He loves his dog. If you don’t love his dog. That’s OK. He doesn’t want you to. It’s his dog. The dog is still alive. Have not met the dog. But I like him already.
Other topics were about being stuck in Indianapolis, slow toms, gas girls, having to wake up to go to work, and traveling across Missouri on Interstate 70, with a gritty, ironic sense of humor. They managed to get a crew of Iowans to sing about it being a bad time to be an outlaw. One lyric from that song sums up the music business, “My music’s good but my income sucks.”
Brian explained ZZ Top had someone study the discos of New York and learned that when songs were at a certain tempo, everyone came out to dance. That temp is 120 beats per minute. So ZZ top did most of the “Eliminator” album at that tempo. Made them stars. Brian reasoned his band must have been playing at 119, and just missed their chance at fame.
I sat in the back to get a better angle for pix, scanned the crowd, and notice there was a lot of older people there. Then I saw my reflection in one of those mirrors. Oops. I’m sure they were looking at me and thinking the same thing.
Oh well. As long as we have The Bottle Rockets, a dirt road and a garage with a lava lamp, we’ll be OK. I think it’s a good time to an outlaw.