SHOW REVIEW: Craig Finn 2/8/12 PJ’s Lager House

“So what do you think about the A.L. Central this year?” the always boisterous (and die-hard Twins fan) Craig Finn chirped from the stage. “I think the Twins will be right there with you….in early May.” he joked. Tiger Stadium is long gone but Corktown was full of life on Wednesday for the 8th show of Finn’s first solo tour (supporting his new record Clear Heart, Full Eyes) at PJ’s Lager House.

Most of the crowd undoubtedly know Craig Finn as the animated maestro that has been fronting The Hold Steady for the last 8 years. He lives in Brooklyn these days, but his roots are in Minneapolis where he cut his teeth fronting Lifter Puller in the scene that rose up from the ashes of Twin-Cities legends The Replacements and Hüsker Dü. The influence of these bands is something he won’t hide from or apologize for, and his songwriting has always been part homage to them, part something new and modern – with some Springsteenish narratives and (with his solo material) a bit of good alt-country twang.

The guy knows how to work a room, how to connect with an audience. His animated, flailing arms and bulging eyes combined with his deadpan singing/preaching delivery aren’t unlike your friend on his 7th Jameson’s, vehemently explaining to you why later Aerosmith stands up to the early stuff. Except Craig Finn’s message is no bullshit. Weather he’s painting a picture of life as a broke musician living in a dump (Rented Room) or a well meaning friend moving in on a convict’s kid and girlfriend (Jeremiah’s Blues) It’s convincing and believable. You’ve been there. You know these people. They’re part of living a Midwestern existence – working, partying, going to shows (and ball games) and dealing with messed up lives and messed up friends.

Fans hoping to hear solo-renditions of Hold Steady classics might have left disappointed as he chose to avoid that catalog, instead focusing on material from the new record and some unreleased stuff. Some of the new songs wouldn’t be out of place on a Hold Steady record, however (like the Cheap-Tricky single Honolulu Blues) but others offer more space, with primal rhythms that are a bit of a departure.

The set at the Lager House consisted of deep, warm textures and tones provided mainly by the pedal-steel and Fender Jazzmaster of guitarist Ricky Ray Jackson and sparse percussion of drummer James Stevens. Rounding out the band (dubbed Some Guns) were guitarist Falcon Valdez and bassist Alex Livingston (Grand Champeen). Finn led the band and the audience on a journey through peaks and valleys. It was a rolling cadence of great up-tempo fun (New Friend Jesus) and droning, slower moods (Western Pier). It was a stroll through the scenes and characters from Craig Finn’s life and imagination in a well balanced, brilliantly executed night of entertainment.

Craig Finn’s Website

The Hold Steady

Tagged Corktown, Craig Finn, Hold Steady, Jeremy Porter, Lager House, Review