For the Black Cadillacs, Friday night was a bit of a homecoming. Of course, with roots in three of Tennessee’s largest cities, they will have other homecoming shows on their current tour. Still, the reception they received from the fans who packed 3rd and Lindsley had to make even those members who are not from Nashville feel right at home.
The Black Cadillacs bill themselves as a high energy, hard touring rock and roll band. Both those attributes were on display through a set that featured songs from their last full length record, Run; their forthcoming EP which was produced by Ken Coomer (Clockhammer, Wilco); and a couple of well placed, well chosen cover songs. The tightness that is a direct result of hard touring was abundantly evident.
The band demonstrated a keen appreciation for a wide-range of rock music styles and era, but they were able to channel these influences into a cohesive sound that was uniquely their own. Punk/Post Punk/Alternative/Indie obviously fueled the contagious energy that ran between the enthusiastic crowd and the band. While, the influence of blues based rock was an integral if subtle component of the band’s sound.
Highlights of the night, were the single “Radio Silence”, “100 Guns” from their album Run, as well as some of the songs from the forthcoming EP which I am not confident enough to attempt name. Another favorite of mine was the band’s cover of The Replacement’s song “Can’t Hardly Wait”. The Black Cadillacs captured the soulfulness and the energy of that song with aplomb.
On a couple of occasions, the band proved that they have a thorough understanding of the Blues and that the subtlety of that influence on most of their music is by design. Like the best of The Blues, The Black Cadillacs music makes you feel good, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Nashville band Sol Cat opened the show proving that high energy can be mellow and that electronic music can be “real”. Their music is smooth and soulful rock with psychedelic undertones. They commanded the stage and played with a high degree of confidence, and even though they said it was their first time playing 3rd and Lindsley, they were obviously at home on the stage.