Aaron Lewis

Forgive the obvious: I mean it when I say that for some of us, it really has been a while since we’ve heard much from Aaron Lewis. For me, for example: I didn’t know he’d been doing anything other than rocking with band Staind until I saw that he was coming to town. Having loved some of their biggest hits, I asked to cover the show and invited my brother (a bigger fan than I) to join me, only to learn that Lewis has “gone country.” No matter: I can enjoy country music, provided it’s the right kind of country. Since I knew Lewis to be a rocker, I suspected his would be the kind I could get into, and I showed up last weekend at the Uptown to find out.

Before Lewis began, we were treated to an opening act we both thoroughly enjoyed: singer/songwriter David Luning, from nearby Forestville, CA, is not only adorable, he’s also quite funny. Coupled with his considerable talent, this all made for a very entertaining set beginning with “Girl from Tennessee.” Before the next song, Luning asked the audience, “y’all have rowdy friends? Me too.” The next song, “Buddies till the End,” was about a few of his, and showcases exactly what I’m trying to describe: a brilliant sense of humor, a great songwriting talent, and best of all, great musical prowess. Call me crazy, but that’s quite a trifecta in my book, and just two songs in, I was already a new fan of this guy! His brand new record (Just Drop on By), he said, would be available for sale in the lobby after his set (and after the show, for those who were concerned with missing any of Lewis’ act). Trust me: get in on the ground floor with this kid! (Can you tell we loved him?)

The next song, Luning said, was “one of the sad songs,” which was “You and Me and the Devil,” and included a great harmonica spot. On a lighter note, the next song was about “when things go bad,” and during it, my brother made a comment that was right on the money: “he’s got some kinda Johnny Cash thing in his voice!” He does, and yet he’s got a style all his own. The song, “Rocky Rock Bottom,” was perhaps my favorite of his whole set…sadly, it’s not the record, but you can at least check it out on YouTube. When Luning returned to his harmonica, shouts came from the crowd for “whiskey bottle!” His response? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” After a moment’s pause, though, he admitted: “it’s true, I do have a song called that. I’m gonna play it. Not right now, though.” Next came “Bed of Roses,” after which he cheekily commended “David Luning on the harmonica!” Luning was, he said, “so excited and honored to be playing at the Uptown,” praising all the “amazing beautiful people” who work there, and continuing to gush that everyone was so nice, and thank all of them for making him sound better, look better, and for taking care of him onstage. He had, he said, two more, before Aaron Lewis would appear.

The title track from the aforementioned new record, “Just Drop on By,” came next, and then it was time for promised “Whiskey Bottle,” which Luning admitted was about whiskey, and went on to say that there are “some tales about women in it,” and that it had some film placement success in two sci-fi movies (Swamp Shark, which he said was originally to be named Jaws of Mississippi, and Arachnoquake). The song was a great representation of all we’d been falling for in Luning’s set: funny, catchy, melodic, and irresistible. As he wrapped up his set, he mentioned that he’d be selling merchandise (including underwear, he said, and while I thought it was a joke, it later turned out to be the truth), and suffice it to say that we now both own a copy of that shiny new record he was promoting. You should too!

Opener David Luning

When Aaron Lewis took the stage, the very first thing I noticed was his unassuming air: he’s just a good ol’ boy in a t-shirt, jeans, boots and a camoflauge hat. He just walked right on amid much applause, picked up his guitar, said a quick “good evening,” and got started. “The Story Never Ends” came first, followed by “Anywhere but Here,” and then I started to suspect he’d be the kind of performer who doesn’t say much…oh, how wrong that would turn out to be! After “75,” I noted that his voice lends perfectly to rock a la Staind and the really great kind of classic country we all enjoy, a la Garth Brooks (but with a little less twang and a bit more rock & roll). As it turns out, maybe the two genres aren’t all that far apart, but then again, maybe that’s just Lewis’ finesse in blending the two? (Though, with the addition of lap steel guitars, the distinction between rock and country becomes exaggerated a bit.)

After the title track to his new record, The Road, Lewis began to talk directly to members of the audience who were shouting out to him, before addressing the whole to explain that he found the next song “very fitting for times we’re living in,” because it’s about memories, traditions, heirlooms, and grandparents. “It amazes me that some people might find it offensive that this song is about a gun!” Lewis lamented, and I heard someone in my row shout out, “they’ll get over it!” Most of the crowd jeered the sentiment as Lewis began “Grandaddy’s Gun,” which included a great solo from the lead guitarist. Before beginning the next song, Lewis admitted, “I didn’t write this song. But Jamey Johnson did,” which received great applause as he continued. “I like this song, though. For me, it says a lot.” The song, “Redneck Side of Me,” seemed to go over well with most of the casually-dressed, country-loving crowd. Once again, it included more from the killer kid on the guitar.

“What’s in the cup?!” someone shouted as soon as there was a break in the action, as Lewis sipped from a red Solo cup on a stool near him. “Kool Aid,” he answered, amusing most to the point of a laughter and another round of applause before Lewis admitted he had “opted for a margarita or two this evening. Why not?” The next song explained “what I’ve been up to for the last eighteen years,” and was called “State Lines.” At its conclusion, the band left the stage, and again came random shouts from the crowd. To these, Lewis said he was going to do “this just one little piece to pay homage,” adding that there was “someone in the room that I love very much.” He played just a short bit of Tesla’s “Love Song,” and then asked if he should “follow it up with a little ‘Open Arms?’ No?” The crowd again laughed at his joke, which he continued another moment, all innocence. “What, man?” And here began the portion of the evening that could be called the performer’s answer to stream of consciousness: lots of chatter with and at the crowd, singing whatever struck his fancy at the moment, a few comments that the lights made him “look high,” and a second margarita. He did admit that he’s learning to play with a set list these days, but “I don’t know if I like that so much. I play what I want!” When he temporarily took his hat off to rub his head, a squeal came from several women in the crowd. “Oh yeah, I got hair!” (Lewis has worn his head shaved for many years.) This led to an explanation about his daughter asking him to shave his face. After complying with her request, he’s now determined not to shave any part of his head or face for “at least a year,” calling himself a “Chia head,” and even more interesting personal anecdotes about manscaping and body hair. Look, if you weren’t there, I won’t get into specifics: it was funny, and doesn’t need to be repeated, and while you’d probably have found it funny, you’re also likely to thank me for not getting into it. Eventually, he chastised the crowd for making him talk through “a whole song’s worth!”

During his cover of Jamey Johnson’s “She’s All Lady,” there came a sort of “wooo!” from a man in the crowd. Lewis abruptly stopped playing, made a face to show his apparent discomfort, and said he wouldn’t sleep that night, again cracking up the audience. Another Jamey Johnson cover (“High Cost of Living”) and Lewis was praising the songwriter, saying that it would be wrong for a country fan not to own every single Jamey Johnson album. While trying to decide whether to “keep going with the covers,” Lewis chose to go to the “other end of the spectrum,” which was country nonetheless: a truly raw and wonderful cover of Rascall Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most.” After, a bit more heckling of audience members, which I happened to enjoy, as I’ve seen more than my share of the opposite. The next song was “Lessons Learned,” which Lewis proclaimed to be the “first song I ever tried to sing down near my speaking voice,” and was followed up by a dedication to anybody active in the service: a brilliant cover of Alice in Chains’ “Rooster” that I bet my brother (a huge fan of the band) is still hearing, days later.

As the band returned, the next song was “about where I’m from and how I feel and how I was raised.” Appropriately, it was “Red White & Blue,” and like a good host, Lewis paused at its end to make sure all in attendance were having a good time. Honestly, the cheer that came back at him was the loudest cheer I’ve heard in quite some time. It’s nice to see that kind of dedication and admiration, and even as an outsider, it was fun to observe for the evening. Next came a song “I didn’t write, but neither did he!” – a cover of Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” and then someone shouted out a request: “It’s Been Awhile!” Immediately, Lewis snarked back: it’s been awhile since I’ve heard a request for It’s Been Awhile… Hear the sarcasm and facetiousness in my voice?” As the laughter died down, he explained that he had screwed up and written “a happy song.” He continued, explaining that as he was writing it, he realized that he was giving the label exactly what they want, and that no matter what else, it was the only thing they’d focus on. “There’s not even a little smidge of miserable!” The song was about taking his daughters to the beach for the weekend, and was called “Endless Summer.” (For the record, I enjoyed it, but I guess I’d have to say I prefer my Aaron Lewis tune with a little bit of misery, as my other faves aren’t quite in that vein. But then again, all the others are…) Promptly, we were “back to emptiness and despair, and loneliness” with “Forever.” Finally came the requested (and for those like me, most recognizable hit) “It’s Been Awhile,” but with a unique rockin’ country twist I really enjoyed: it’s Aaron Lewis 2.0! I can tell he’s probably a bit tired of this song (or maybe at least performing it live?) but he’s breathed new life into it in such a way that it’s now a part of a cohesive country show. Bravo! The song concluded in a different way than usual, ending with the line “it’s been awhile since I said thank you very much!” which was spoken, and promptly ended the regular set.

As the stage sat empty, chants of “Country Boy, Country Boy” began in the audience. Lewis eventually returned, solo, and mentioned that he really appreciated “the freedoms you offer me to explore: to express myself as I feel inspired to do,” adding that he’s lived the next song “thousands of times.” The song was an awesome cover of Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page.” Throughout his encore set, Lewis continued to spit on the rug onstage. Don’t worry: he owns it, he explained. “I spit all over it, I roll it up and take it to the next show,” where he’ll do the same thing all over again the next night. He wondered if perhaps he should eventually sell it on eBay? He used to chain smoke all night, though, and wondered aloud which was worse. Next came the ultimate highlight for me: “Outside,” which has been a favorite song of mine since I first heard it back in 1999. Maybe it doesn’t quick fit into the country vibe going that evening, but it’s one of those really great, honest, gritty songs I think everyone can relate to. And even if not, I certainly do, and I never tire of hearing it. Truth be told, it was the one song I’d have been disappointed to be deprived of live, so I was over the moon as he lent his raspy rock voice to it in our tiny venue. After, the band returned to the stage one final time as Lewis led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and closed the show with the much-requested hit “Country Boy.”

An all-you-can-rock girl in a crowd full of country-loving fans, with a performer who blurs the line between the two? My kind of night, and my brother enjoyed himself just as much as I (if not markedly more). I’m very selective of my country music, but it’s heart and vocals like Lewis’ that make me a believer, and nights like this are exactly why. What a great show!

(This review originally published by Spinning Platters – thanks for sharing!)