Gypsy Cab

My little brother, Jesse, is an amazing drummer--really. He's been playing for, what, eight years or something now?

He is now in a band with members who match his talents. The guitar and bass players are technically amazing and the singer has such a great voice. And, from the kitchen of my parent's house, I often enjoy their practice sessions going on in the basement. They've been getting ready to compete in the state high school battle of the bands (after having won their region).

But, they haven't done much--okay, none--in the way of playing live. So last night we showed up at a local venue, Velour, to hear them play on open mic night. Our hopes weren't set too high. Upon trying to pay, Josh's friend and Velour owner, Corey, waived our money aside, responding to our protests with "sometimes open mic night is not a gift." And, truth be told, it wasn't. But it especially wasn't for my parents, who had been there since 8pm, listening to a drunk guy try to tune his guitar for a half-hour on stage and endless pop-acoustic-one man/woman guitar acts.

When Jesse's bad, Gypsy Cab, took the stage, there was a palpable sigh of relief just to see something different--four guys armed with a guitar, a mic, a cheese grater, and spoons. And their feet. They immediately broke into a joyful, upbeat shindig of the best kind--a mix of blues, funk, soul, rockabilly . . . think the White Stripes on ritalin, but in a good way. It was fantastic. It felt like they stomped up a soulful cloud of dust on the stage, and then they quietly sat down. And the crowd erupted.

I think these 16-year-old boys have a bright future ahead. To check out their (non-acoustic) music, go here.