Ben Nichols Solo Album - Lucero Tour Dates

Yesterday, we received our first taste of Ben Nichols' (of Lucero) mini-LP The Last Pale Light in the West. Pale Light is based around stories culled from Cormac McCarthy's blood-filled, epic Blood Meridian. There are few out there whose gruff intensity could match the rawness and desperation found in most McCarthy novels, but for the most part, Nichols hits it right on the head. Sam Baker does a damn good job of it as well. Using a stripped-down band set-up (Accordion, Guitar, Pedal Steel, Cowboy boots and floor) Nichols attempts to conjure the desert landscapes, violence, and lonesome Mexican villages McCarthy describes in his novel. Oh yeah, don't forget about the ear necklace - that's in there too.

For big news about Nichols' band Lucero and to see when they are coming to your town - click that little continue reading button right below this sentence.



Good things do happen to small bands. Yet, for bands like Lucero it takes a LONG time. Lucero, through relentless rocking, has managed to score themselves a record deal with Universal Music. For all the cred being on an indie gets you, you can't deny the power of a major label's marketing campaign. (See Black Kids and My Morning Jacket). So I say, godspeed Lucero go forth and bring your rock to the people. Speaking of that: Lucero is opening for The Black Keys, see tour dates below. They play two nights in NY at Terminal 5 Feb. 6 & 7 and a show at the Mercury Lounge Feb. 8. The last time we saw Lucero at the Bowery, we left covered in spilled (and thrown) beer and did whiskey shots with Nichols at the bar downstairs. Trust us, they are worth the $10. Lucero's Universal debut is scheduled for summer '09.

Lucero - 2009 Tour Dates
Jan 23 - George's Majestic Lounge (18+) Fayetteville, Arkansas
Jan 24 - Brickhouse Grill Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jan 29 - The Lyric Theatre (18+) Oxford, Mississippi
Jan 30 - Mercy Lounge (21+) Nashville, Tennessee
Jan 31 - Mercy Lounge (21+) Nashville, Tennessee
Feb 5 - Ottobar (All Ages) Baltimore, Maryland
Feb 6 - Terminal 5 (w/ The Black Keys) NYC
Feb 7 - Terminal 5 (w/ The Black Keys) NYC
Feb 8 - Mercury Lounge, NYC
Feb 20 - Bottletree Cafe (18+) Birmingham, Alabama
Feb 21 - Barleys Taproom Knoxville, Tennessee
Mar 4 - Sluggos Pensacola, Florida
Mar 5 - Big Daddys Tallahassee, Florida
Mar 6 - New World Brewery (21+) Tampa, Florida
Mar 7 - Langerado Music Festival Miami, Florida
Mar 8 - Harvest of Hope Festival Elkton, Florida
Mar 10 - The Social (18+) Orlando, Florida
Mar 11 - The Pour House Charleston, South Carolina
Mar 12 - Rhythm and Brews Chattanooga, Tennessee
Mar 13 - Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia