Sheepdogs prove that rock music is still alive.
by ToughCritic on 9/26/12Bowery Ballroom - New YorkThe Sheepdogs are perhaps the only modern purveyor of something that used to have many practitioners: straight ahead, high qualtiy, progressive hard rock. Their twin lead approach is heir to everyone from the Allman Brothers to Wishbone Ash, without being derivative of any of them. They combine solid material with excellent musicianship, intricate arrangements, and a charismatic, fun-loving stage presence. They are also masters of the subtle but important art of translating good studio material to a live presentation that ups the excitement level without sacrificing the integrity of the song. Even the live sound mix was excellent (a moderately uncommon outcome, in my extensive experience). Perhaps most impressive, the overwhelming majority of the crowd was young - in their 20s - - not a bunch of "fossils" living in the past, despite the arguable fact that the Sheepdogs' style is more reminiscent of late 60s/early 70s approaches than anything current. Best show I've seen in years.