Howlin Rain at Mercury Lounge

by Brian Donohoe

Howlin Rain played a very intimate show to a crowd of about 75 on Tuesday night at the Mercury Lounge. It was the smallest show I've been to in a while, and a major treat.  Despite the crowd, they played their solid 80 minute set like they were at Radio City, not toning it down or calling it a wash at any moment. (About halfway through the show, I realized I was standing right next to David Fricke.) 

Howlin Rain is a lot of fun to watch, with Ethan Miller's raspy vocals anchonring the band's bluesy yet raging sound. No synthesizers here – these Californians rely on the basics, and know how to turn it up (way up) or down. This was the first time I had heard a bunch of their songs, most of which were off of their Rick Rubin-produced third album, The Russian Wilds. There is an unpredictability to the songs, and the heavy baselines made it seem like the band was taking me on wild ride to an unknown destination.

The jam sessions were raw but tight: each instrument seemed to be just as loud as the next. Joel Robinow's keyboard stole several moments, giving the tunes a little bit of a Ray Manzerak-like zest.

After a crowd request, the band played an explosive encore, which was by far the most energetic part of the set. They knew it was Tuesday night, and that this small group of people still dragged their asses out to the late show at the Mercury Lounge. That shows character, something good bands need to have.

This will not be the last time I see Howlin Rain. They give you a good show, and they know how to rock n' roll. Rick Rubin and David Fricke obviously agree.

(The Russian Wilds arrives Valentine's Day.)