Live Review: Drug Rug @ Bowery Ballroom [2/15/08]

Drug Rug’s performance last night at the popular Manhattan indie destination Bowery Ballroom was eerily reminiscent of their performance there four months ago during the CMJ Music Marathon. The music was brash and continuous, the crowd was boiling over with excitement, and sadly enough, the set lengths were just about as short.

But Drug Rug’s Sarah Cronin put it best after the show. “We like to keep people wanting more.”

The band did just that, as a full dance floor of fans screamed and shouted when Drug Rug finished their set with the blistering “For the Rest of Your Life,” a song that glows early with organ and guitar and ends in pure bluesy chaos.

Earlier in the set, the ballad “Winter Time” grooved with smooth call and response verses, and calmed the crowd into a swaying mood.

Throughout the performance their music reflected well upon their influences they lay claim to. Cronin and her co-band leader (and boyfriend to boot) Tommy Allen performed duets like the country singers of old. On top of that they shared an endearing chemistry that adds to the music, combining harmonies so well you’d think you’re hearing Tammy and George, or Johnny and June.

Drug Rug, however, prefer to take that framework and rip it to shreds. The band danced around the stage (one visible difference from the CMJ set was the amount of room they had to explore this time around) and ripped off guitar riffs like they were born humming blue notes.

Other songs like “Day I Die,” helped the shortened set burst with energy. The bravado in songs like this aids the blues attitude without coming across as cocky. Last night Bowery Ballroom was just watching five friends having fun, and they sounded damn good while doing it.

Sam Champion wrapped up the night with a homecoming of sorts, and the crowd (although diminished a bit by their midnight set time) was pleased to indulge in their sweet rock and roll sound.

The standouts of the night were Brooklyn-based The XYZ Affair, who as an opening band frenzied the crowd in a similar way to when Drug Rug opened up their CMJ set at Bowery. Beer was spilled, bodies were bumping, and shouts for an encore helped the dance-loving band shake dust out of the curtains that drape the Bowery stage.

The XYZ Affair

Drug Rug's Sarah Cronin and Tommy Allen

Sarah Cronin
Drug Rug Bassist/Guitarist George Lewis

Photos & Review by Sean O'Kane