Those Darlins at Zoo Bar | Concert Review

by Jordan Minnick | photos by Shannon Claire

In the midst of covering Nebraska bands, we here at HN have also, naturally, developed a fondness for many national groups. Many make our love list because they take the time to stop in ol' NE to play killer shows. Murfreesboro, Tenn., act Those Darlins have made the cut time and time again, bringing their raunchy twang-rock sound to Lincoln/Omaha three times in the past year. And I'll be damned if show number three at Lincoln's Zoo Bar Tuesday, Aug. 9 didn't sizzle like spit on a waffle iron.

After Lincoln's St. Patrick's Day punk heroes The Killigans hit the ground running with their drink-sloshing anthems, the three stage-surnamed Darlin gals — Jessi, Nikki and Kelley — took stage to a riled up bar crowd. By the second song in, "Be Your Bro," bra straps were already falling off the shoulders of their strumming arms. An act that would distress most females, it only fed the set's punk-worthy energy as Jessi Darlin shot around her crazy, wide-eyed gaze.

Those familiar with the band's discography know that these are ladies that sing about trying not get DUIs. To any male in the bar that night, the thought of a slightly white trash woman probably never looked so alluring. There was definitely no un-seeing the wildest Darling, Nikki, and her seductive bout with the microphone toward the end of the hour-long set. She managed to usher in a hot chaos with her hand on her hip, ravishing the crowd with her bratty strut.

The Darlins succeeded to attract many show-goers from their seats to the floor. And with each bandmember sharing the spotlight and switching lead vocals (that also including the male quarter of the band, drummer Linwood Regensburg), the set failed to bore. It's a precedent they've always held strapped under their garter and it's certainly creating a Nebraska fanbase.                         

 

Jordan Minnick is an intern for Hear Nebraska. She thought Guided by Voices was tits at Maha this weekend. Contact her at jordanminnick@hearnebraska.org.