Ben Nichols and Joseph Huber- The Back Room @ Collectivo; 6/7/19

There was a palpable buzz in The Back Room of Collectivo last Friday evening and for good reason. Ben Nichols and Oliver Peck rode into town for the second night of this year's Bikeriders Tour, an event that features the Lucero frontman and tattoo artist extraordinaire riding their motorcycles across the country together, enjoying the company of fans, and raising funds for victims of motorcycle accidents.  When venturing to Collectivo, I was expecting a sit-down singer-songwriter show.  Instead, fellow fans and I were treated to one of the more energetic, raucous and fun solo shows I've seen in quite some time featuring just one stellar songsmith, his passion for his music and his fans, and his guitar.

Ben Nichols is a veteran to the alt-country and Americana scene, having released a dozen records with Lucero over their nearly 20-year history as a band, along with solo material and music for the hit TV series The Walking Dead.  In fact, I am proud to say I was an early Lucero fan watching a very young group from Memphis open for the North Mississippi Allstars in 2001 at the Miramar Theater, not far from the Back Room at Collectivo.  Oddly, what stood out from that performance was the same thing that resonated last Friday- and that is Nichols's passion for his craft.


Nichols's trademark grizzled and gravely vocals shined through bright smiles and an overall feeling of humble gratitude and cheer.  Fans were treated to a robust set featuring well over twenty tunes that spanned across his career as a performer.  Highlights included classic Lucero numbers like, "The Bikeriders," (from 2005's Nobody's Darlings LP), "Texas and Tennessee" (from 2013's Texas and Tennessee EP) and, of course, "Nights Like These," (off of 2002's Tennessee LP).  However, the true takeaway of the set was Nichols's latest composition "Hello, My Name is Izzy," a lovely, dad-rock song about Nichols's daughter at the age of one.  This single released this year encapsulates a moment that many of the fans in attendance can share as they've grown with Lucero from early ruckus days to more reflective ones.

Opening for Ben Nichols was Milwaukee native and local treasure, Joseph Huber. While watching Huber's set Nichols came out from the green room close to where I was standing and sated, "damn, this guy is good."  That same sentiment was felt by the crowd, ten-fold.  Huber made a rare solo performance, standing and playing guitar and harmonica verses his normal position tapping rhythms while seated on a suitcase.  Huber, like Nichols, is a humble, earnest performer, who is quick to smile and connect with the crowd. The large audience swarmed the stage during Huber's set which featured a mix of new material from his forthcoming July release, Moondog, alongside classic Huber tracks.  Stand out performances included the new narrative country-themed track, "Rivers of Smoke,"  and a riveting set closer of "Hello, Milwaukee."  Huber and Nichols are both master storytellers and delivered a performance of great narrative tunes that was a treat for all in attendance.