Lucero w/ Vandoliers at Aladdin Theater

Name: Lucero w/ Vandoliers at Aladdin Theater
Start: 2024-11-13T20:00:00-08:00
Location: Aladdin Theater

Schedule

Wed Nov 13 2024 at 08:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Aladdin Theater | Portland, OR

TICKETS 🎟️ truewest.info/Lucero2024
On Sale: Friday, July 19th at 10am
This Event is General Admission
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The search for one's identity is a lifelong journey, marked by constant change yet anchored by a core sense of self. This concept is deeply understood by the band Lucero.
Formed in Memphis in the late '90s, Lucero's music has evolved from their debut album, The Attic Tapes, to embrace southern rock and Memphis soul while retaining their foundational sound. Their devoted fans continue to enjoy the band's punchy rhythms, punk-rooted guitar licks, and Americana-inspired lyrics.
Lucero's twelfth album, Should’ve Learned by Now, began as leftover demos from their previous albums, Among the Ghosts (2018) and When You Found Me (2021). These tracks were deemed too upbeat for those records' darker themes. Frontman Ben Nichols describes the album as an acceptance of the band's imperfections.
The original lineup, including Brian Venable (guitar), Roy Berry (drums), John C. Stubblefield (bass), and Rick Steff (keys), collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Matt Ross-Spang. They recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Service and finished at Ross-Spang’s Southern Grooves Productions in Memphis, TN. Ross-Spang's touch enhances the band’s signature sound.
The album's first track, “One Last F.U.,” is a self-reflective piece with rock and roll reverb that widens Nichols' vocals to mimic a live performance. It’s one of several new production effects that add depth to the band's sound.
“Macon if We Make It,” inspired by a harrowing drive through Georgia during a hurricane, recalls the band's 2009 album 1372 Overton Park. It starts with a literal storm but shifts to a troubled relationship. The song crescendos with a powerful guitar solo, driven by Venable's formidable playing.
The album also features softer moments, such as “She Leads Me,” inspired by the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. This track includes backing vocals from Jesse Davis and Cory Branan, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the past to move forward.
Hard-edged rock returns in tracks like “At the Show” and “Nothing’s Alright,” exploring themes of old loves, nostalgia, and introspection. The title track, “Should’ve Learned by Now,” epitomizes Lucero's punk roots and acknowledges that some lessons are hard to internalize.
From its Ben Nichols-designed cover art to its credits, Should’ve Learned by Now reflects a band that knows itself. The album bridges "old Lucero" and "new Lucero," solidifying their place at the intersection of punk and artistry. It honors their past while leaving the door open to future growth and lessons.