The Western Civilization is a lovely band of lovely people (and on tour now)

I met Reggie & Gretchen of Houston-based band The Western Civilization at one of Jess’s barbeques during SXSW. Though pretty much everybody I met in Austin ranked among the nicest people I’ve ever come across, these guys were two of the loveliest. Throughout SXSW, I kept hearing rave reviews about their band, and was bummed I couldn’t catch any of their wristband-only showcases (I, being wristband- and badge-less).

Last night, though, The Western Civilization performed at Pianos, and I have to say, they made it worth the wait! Despite a strange technical setback or two, Pianos provided a perfectly intimate setting for the dueling boy/girl vocals layered over an alternating mix of guitars, keyboard, electronic beats and multiple snares. (Best opening ever — when the drummer and two other band members banged a marching band style beat in unison throughout the first song!)

The Western Civilization is on tour now through May, and if you’re near any of the following cities, I’d suggest checking them out. It’s not often that such a lovely-sounding band is backed by such equally lovely people.

Show list:
4/17 @ Quiet Bob’s Bar, Cleveland, Ohio
4/18 @ Donkey Coffee, Athens Ohio
4/19 @ Iron Post, Urbana, Illinois
4/20 @ The Note, Chicago, Illinois
4/22 @ Uncommon Ground (acoustic show), Chicago, Illinois
4/23 @ Mars Cafe, Des Moines, Iowa
4/24 @ Box Awesome, Lincoln, Nebraska
4/25 @ TBA, Kansas City, Kansas
4/26 @ The Outland, Springfield, Missouri
4/27 @ Riley’s, Fayetteville, Arkansas
4/29 @ TBA, Tulsa Oklahoma
4/30 @ Convergence, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
5/1 @ Rubber Gloves, Denton Texas
5/2 @ Fitz Willie’s, College Station, Texas
5/3 @ Mo Mo’s, Austin, Texas