Walking into the Toad Tavern in Littleton, CO, was like going back to your hometown and hanging out at the bar you swore you’d never set foot in. Even when you were too young to even get two feet passed the threshold you knew, you never wanted to be a regular there, ever.
With that being said, from an outsider’s perspective, this place was a bit of a treat. The atmosphere and the comradery of the audience was refreshing to be apart of, compared to being corralled into a small bar, shoulder to shoulder with hipsters and faux-punks waiting to get overcharged for a crappy beer.
The stage was humongous and the bar, relatively uncrowded. It was a Thursday night after a snow storm so I don't want to say that the crowd was small; I'd rather say they were core, SUV/truck driving warriors of Denver and its far-reaching suburbs. The venue was comfortably outfitted with the close-knit crowd.
It was fun. It was joyous. It was good to see that genre portrayed in its original sense and not tampered with.
Both Lee & Co. and Ouzo Project are bands that most would consider "past their prime," but that was the beauty seeing them play. When a band is not playing to get recognized or hyping a CD or upcoming tour, the only thing left to play for is personal enjoyment. And that is something that shines through to the audience, leaves a lasting impression and restores one's faith in why people get some much gratification out of music.
Continuing with that theme, Tomahawk Fox, the headliner and main draw to Littleton for the Bearcules convoy, also leaves a very similar lasting impression. The quartet of young-guns (by comparison) continues to bring their old soul music to a flourishing country-folk genre.
Fronted by the young, talented, “if you don't want to hold her hand by the end of the first song then you're crazy" Brianna Straut. This girl has some killer vocals and her gusto on guitar is something that is not seen often enough in Denver. As mentioned in a previous article (link), Straut's pipes are what will draw you in along with her ownership and personal style on guitar. Straut plays every chord with authority, she makes every note count.
Michael Clay also did his part on guitar and vocals, switching on and off with Straut. Bass and drums rounded out the edges to complete the country-folk-blue conglomerate.
Seeing a band play for a smaller, hometown kind of crowd on a wintry night most certainly has its benefits. Tomahawk Fox had some previously unheard tunes to test out with the greater-Littleton public along with their ball-busting classics including their cover of “Wagon Wheel,” “Circle be Unbroken” and original “Georgia Song” followed by a very sexually-charge single sung by Straut about a sweltering relationship.
Tomahawk Fox is on the verge of releasing an EP in the upcoming weeks to which I can guarantee these three things will come true. One, if there is a release show, it will rock, regardless of venue. Two, there will be CDs for sale. And three, if you have even one romantic nerve ending in your body, you will fall head over heals for this band.
