Tennesee's Those Darlins have been tearing it up with a cool blend of garage rock and country for the past few years. They finally made it down to Florida right before their second album 'Screws Get Loose' was released opening a short stint with the Old 97's, a bigger name "alt-country" act, at The Plaza Theater.

I haven't been to a show at the Plaza Theater before- I had walked around inside a few years ago when it was for rent (out of the Trapper Keepers league for sure). It's a pretty cool place for medium sized shows. They tore all the seats out of this historic movie theater for standing room concerts with folding chairs in the back for the oldie moldies. They opened a barbeque joint in the lobby. Drinks at the bar were on the expensive side, however.

Since just about everyone in attendance was there to see the Old 97s it was a quite older crowd. I had doubts whether the rawness of Those Darlins boding well with an "alt-country" band audience. Those Darlins just might be considered by some to be too garage rock or noisy to be country. And vice versa. They've got more in common with bands like The Goodnight Loving over Wilco, you know what I mean?

The band of guitarists Kelly, Jessie, Nikki and drummer Linwood started right off the bat with the first single from their upcoming album called "Be My Bro". It's all the best things: fun, catchy and downright vulgar. It's a lot of fun. They video for that song is great showing the band in various stages of undress. But when you see them play you know they just aren't pretty faces. They back that shit up. Each of the girls took turns singing in addition to switching between guitar and bass guitar, showing off their multiple talents. They tore through "Wild One" and a bunch of new ones that were almost blatantly shit kickers ending with "Pussy Power", if I'm not mistaken an Iggy Pop cover. These gals are tough as shit.

As they were tearing their gear done and older couple, obviously late in attendance, approached Kristin and I asking if that was the last band. They looked worried. "No", I told them. They had a look of relief and replied "Whew. Now a real band can get started". What the heck! I didn't stay for Old 97's. I'm sure they're well rehearsed and have a long predictable set list. Though I will always remember standing out back stage the Plaza with the guys in the band running from outside to the stage. One of them was lagging behind (you could hear cheers coming from inside from the other guys arriving) fumbling with his jeans trying to be discreet about it. Another guy came out and yelled at him to get onstage. "Button flys" he said as he finished the last button. Haha. I hate button fly jeans.

Right after we headed over to Wills Pub to see fellow Nashville band and former tour mates Turbo Fruits.

Pictures:

Nikki Darlin from Those Darlins.

Jessi Darlin from Those Darlins.

The man himself: Linwood Regensburg from Those Darlins.

Jessi from Those Darlins.

Nikki on that bad ass guitar.

Those Darlins.

Jessi serving up some phaserfried guitar licks.

Generally girls with Jaguars are pretty hot. Here's some proof.

Those Darlins. No doubt hell is breaking loose.

Those Darlins. Everyone together.

The one, the only Nikki Darlin.

Videos:

 
Those Darlins play "Hives".

Links:
Those Darlins.