The Most Hippies I've Seen at Clicks. Ever.

Saturday night, Feb. 20, Clicks was inundated with Pabst Blue Ribbon swilling, long-haired, tight-jean and flannel-shirt wearing neo-beatniks. It felt like home.

The reason for the gathering was the indie-riddled ticket that night, a far cry from the new metal-induced nightmare that generally graces the venue's stage.

No disrespect to the opening act, Horace Ate the Sun, or the indie bluegrass revolution of the headlining. band, Clyde and Clem's Whiskey Business, but the middle band struck a chord with me. (Pun intended.) Lucas For Sheriff mixes the sweet Southernesque soul of acts like Bon Iver, and vocals that Jeff Tweedy would be proud of in songs like "Clementine" and "Jonesy" that blend raw vocals with high harmonies. Soul through simplicity.

If there is one problem with the band, it is their stage presence. The awkwardness of tuning timeouts, switching guitars and moving furniture made the dead space cumbersome. Problems that a guitar stand or two and a Boss Chromatic Tuner could easily fix. They are definitely a sound that, at this point, is more comfortable in crowded living rooms or smoky sheds.

You can find a few songs at myspace.com/lucasforsheriff. Give a listen, and if they play a living room or garage near you, go see them.