Memphis ain't Nashville, and that can be either a good thing (no legions of prefab pop-country personalities) or a bad one (it's at least once removed from any serious exposure).
In the case of Lucero, it's definitely a good thing – the group's compelling, unclassifiable mix of earnest alt-country twang, indie-rock ingenuity, Southern grit and primal punk/Pogues execution has been left alone to ferment on the pub-and-party circuit. That Much Further West, released on now-defunct hip New York label Tiger Style in 2003, endeared the foursome to both critics and underground rock fans alike, and the brand new Nobody's Darlings seems like more than enough to position Lucero as the Next Big Next Big Thing in both all-ages and No Depression circles. (Serendipitously enough, "Lucero" is a Spanish word meaning "bright star.")
The band will play two shows in Tampa on Sunday. We highly recommend what's sure to be an up-close-and-personal set at everybody's favorite indie music store, Vinyl Fever, at 5:30 p.m., but you can also catch them later that night at Ybor City's Orpheum, where they'll headline an impressive bill also featuring emo-pop balladeers The Honorary Title and singer-songwriter Cory Branan.
Lucero, 5:30 p.m. Sun., June 19, Vinyl Fever, Tampa, free; and 7 p.m. at the Orpheum, Ybor City, with Honorary Title and Cory Branan, $9 21 & up/$10 under 21.
-SCOTT HARRELL
This article appears in Jun 15-21, 2005.