Reverend Horton Heat

Irving Plaza, New York
Wednesday, March 13

When bands like the Reverend Horton Heat and Nashville Pussy blow through the Big Apple, one expects decorum and political correctness to get tossed into the East River. Both bands delivered the expected with power-packed sets of Southern rock that treated drinking, drugs and infidelity as undeniable parts of life.

Atlanta's Nashville Pussy blazed through its opening slot with skuzzy guitar riffs and motor-speed rhythms. Singer Blaine Cartwright garbled and spat his lyrics at the crowd like a carnival barker, while wife and lead guitarist Ruyter Suys tossed her hair, sank to her knees and squeezed venomous sounds from her instrument. The always-uninhibited Suys played in her bra top, while some of the women thrashing around the pit followed her lead. Primitive though it was, the band did a fine job of distilling rock's energy and sensuality into catchy, hedonistic anthems. At times, you didn't know whether to double over laughing or toss back a whiskey shot and howl at the moon.

Headliner the Reverend Horton Heat picked a tough act to follow, but the Dallas trio matched the opener's energy with equal parts humor, showmanship and skill. Supporting their just-released "Lucky 7" (Artemis), guitarist Jim Heath, bassist Jimbo Wallace and drummer Scott Churilla whipped up a potent mix of surf-styled rockabilly that fused the energy of punk with the virtuosity of Dick Dale. With a clear tone that would make most jazz guitarists jealous, Heath's command of styles ranged from fast-picking surf notes to slower, blues-inspired playing. The freewheeling Wallace slapped his bass silly, while Churilla championed a frenetic pace that reached fruition in an extended set-ending solo.

New songs "Galaxie 500" and "Like a Rocket" held their own against classics like "Bails of Cocaine" and "400 Bucks." During the latter, Wallace brought new meaning to the term "stand-up bass" as he and Heath took turns standing on the flame-decaled instrument midsong.

Veterans of hundreds if not thousands of gigs, the two can play the Laurel and Hardy routine for laughs and still be on the same page musically.

For those looking for rock music that's oblivious to trends and completely in your face, this is one tour not to be missed.