Sexfist (Bluegrass at the Red Line Tap)

So, tonight I had the pleasure of going to listen to a really tremendous bluegrass band which plays regularly about 6 blocks from my house. Tuesday nights, a band called "Sexfist" or ("Hen House Prowlers" for you family minded folk) plays at the Red Line Tap, conveniently located next to (and owned by the same folks as) the Heartland Cafe, which is one of my favorites. :)

I just have to say that bluegrass is my most favorite kind of music, even above Scandinavian angry pseudo-pop. I think the first time that I was actually exposed to bluegrass was while my family was visiting my god-parents in up-state New York. We randomly had the opportunity to go to an outdoor festival. I was eleven, and far too cool to appreciate any thing, much less tremendous musical talent. However, I distinctly remember being eleven, sitting on and pulling out the grass, and suddenly realizing that I actually like the music.

Over the years, I've had an increased appreciation for good musical talent. I love to go and see live music played well. I like to see the musicians play their instruments and see the technique and the precision of their talent.

Since I've started "playing" the guitar, I've realized the incredible confidence and actual talent it takes to go up in front of an audience. I played the clarinet in the high school band, and I wasn't all that bad, but it's definitely not the same sort of performance experience as playing an instrument with a small ensemble and singing along; having an actual stage presence, making it seem as though the instrument is second nature. That's where this bluegrass ensemble really seems to excel.

I've seen this band a few times. The bass player has the best voice, by far. The banjo player has mad finger skills. The fiddler pops in and out of solos and vocals like it's nothing.

Tonight, we were discussing the incredible talent of this band. Someone said, "I've never seen a bluegrass band that wasn't super talented... do you think its a prerequisite of being in a bluegrass band?" I'd have to say yes.

Bluegrass music is the most hopeful music in the world. Here you have the steady and deep measure of the bass; the constant cheer of the banjo; the melody (which no one can distinctly pick up) of the guitar; the singing voice of the fiddle. The words they may be singing are those of sorrow. They harmonize, and suddenly the words are no longer of any substance. Its only the sound of the voices coming together that you hear.

I suppose that if there was one fault of bluegrass its that the actual musical quality of what you hear supersedes any of the lyrics.

Tonight we were especially lucky. One of the fellows who was sitting at our table is in the Navy band. He mentioned to one of the guys in the band that he was from North Carolina (the same as the fiddler). He came back to the bar with his soprano sax. He got up on stage (no rehearsal at all!!) and took on half of the banjo solos with his sax. It was SO incredible!!

My favorite instrument is the banjo. I have absolutely no desire to learn how to play it (as I find finger plucking on the guitar to be challenging). I love watching it and hearing it. You give me a banjo, and I am there.

Another one of my favorite things about seeing Sexfist at the Red Line Tap is the crowd it draws. Hippies, sorority girls, folks like myself, older people, and the general Rogers Park crowd (which we'll get to soon in this blog).

If you're in Chicago and looking for an amazing time on Tuesday night, I just have to say, make the trek up to Rogers Park. It's incredible. And after shouting "Sexfist" 21 times, they'll come out to do an encore.