A rare appearance in Indianapolis for a pair of Americana bands/singers/songwriters/rockers. On July 11 at the Rathskeller, The Bottle Rockets – the pride of Festus, Missouri – bring their American rock and roll to the Rathskeller, followed by Texas’ James McMurtry.
The Bottle Rockets have been through town occasionally, my favorite time when they opened for Todd Snider and the Nervous Wrecks back in 1997 at the Vogue. Lead singer Brian Henneman is one of the great blue collar, deep-if-you-really-think-about-it writers of the genre, and will forever be remembered as guitar/tech/roadie/traveling companion for seminal alt-country band Uncle Tupelo.
McMurtry’s first album was recorded just outside of Bloomington, with Mellencamp’s band, back when the lineup still featured Larry Crane, Mike Wanchic, Toby Myers and Kenny Aronoff. Since then, he’s created some stirring, challenging-your-beliefs albums, and has risen to legendary status within the Americana music community.
This is one of those shows featuring a pair of bands well-known to a certain segment of music listener, and completely ignored by radio and mainstream music. Indy has a habit of supporting these types of bands (use Will Hoge and Old Crow Medicine Show as a couple examples. Both artists have a strong following in Indy) and outdoor shows at the Rathskeller are always a good time.
*6:30pm start for the Bottle Rockets, 8:15 for McMurty.