I'm not sure how many Bottle Rockets fans there are outside of the St Louis area (where they always pack the house for the local boys) but I think they're one of the great alt-country/americana bands going today. They're gifted with a brilliant songwriter (Brian Henneman) whose wit and style isn't condescending or overtly sarcastic, and they've been playing classic-rock style americana for over a decade now. Where their neighbors 'cross the river (Uncle Tupelo) took the spirit of punk and crossed it with country and folk, the Rockets took the spirit of outlaw country and crossed it with riff-heavy classic rock. And when Henneman sings songs about welfare, trailer trash, and buying $1000 cars, he's telling stories from experience: Festus, Missouri ain't high class! Not to mention the fact that he makes a living doing construction...

I'd recommend newbies start with 24 Hours a Day or The Brooklyn Side, but almost all of their records are solid (save Brand New Year 'til last...not the best). They've got a new double live record which you can order from their site, as well as a burned CD-R best-of because, apparently, some of the records are out of print.

I love the Bottle Rockets. The Brooklyn Side is a classic alt-country album, a real essential. I have "Early in the Morning" from their debut album on several mix tapes. It's a great er-lie mornin' song when driving somewhere at the break of dawn. Being a Hoosier, I have to love their "Indianapolis" song from 24 Hours A Day. Great band, and I'm gonna have to check out that live album.

"Is this hell or Indianapolis with no way to get around..."

Genius.

I'd have to say my fave Rockets songs are: (in chronological order)

1. "Kerosene"
2. "Welfare Music"
3. "I'll Be Comin' Around"
4. "When I Was Dumb"
5. "Waitin' on a Train"
6. "Indianapolis"
7. "Get Down River"
8. "Baggage Claim"

The Bottle Rockets played at Shank Hall in Milwaukee Friday night (3/2). Great show and a nice turnout for a cold and snowy night. The Alternative Routes opened for them - nice act and a good choice for the opener.

I thought the highlight of the show was near the end when they played "Get Down River," "Indianapolis" and "Radar Gun" in succession.

Fortunately, the BR will be back in this neck o'the woods in May and June.

Oh yeah, it was also very cool that my 22-year old son (who has influenced my musical tastes by introducing me to bands like Rancid, Bad Religion, the Buzzcocks and many others, most of which passed me by while he and his siblings were all coming into the world) came to the show. We saw Dick Dale together last year so we are now 2-for-2!