This night in Tomball, Texas was going to be different though.  It marked the first time we’d seen BOH sans Colin Brooks who left the band at thee end of 2011 to seek out other interests.  Main Street Crossing was the venue and I’ll elaborate more on the establishment later, but it was a nice set up with Gordy Quist and Ed Jurdi out front and center on acoustic.  Man WERE they out front and center, too!  Obviously lacking the third guitar that fans were accustomed to they were out to fill the void and expand.  Hell, Spandex doesn’t have nothin’ on what these two cats stretched out this night.

Blending in long time friend of Quist ,Trevor Nealon, who is now full time (and has been basically since 2011) on 3 layered keyboard brought a killer spooky, spacey, & 70’s thang to their wholesome tunes.  And never forget the solid back bottom that slick John Chipman on drums and Seth Whitney on bass bring to the party always.

I noticed that all 5 participated on vocals which was cool.  The “re-invention” if you will of BOH was unfolding and it was bad ass folks. Covering a lot of bases including cuts from their latest ‘Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son’  and ‘One Foot in the Ether’, the band seemed totally focused and at ease.  Quist and especially Jurdi had the “grub” on the way we like them bearded and shaggy haired. Countless good ones this evening included “LA County Blues” and “Jackson Station” along with a hot and funky version of “Medicine Man”. “Polaroid” came across harmonizing sweet and “Free Again” made thee enthusiastic and raucous crowd come alive.  I even heard someone remark they felt the Outlaws were on stage and it felt that way when they tore up “Hurricane” and personal fave “Look at Miss Ohio”!!  As good music bud of mine Kenny Pipes remarked to me recently that the departure of Brooks will “open up” the vault of tunes that Quist & Jurdi possess in their treasure chest to explore with their hardcore fan base.  I feel it will be a win-win type deal because I’m also excited for Colin’s next venture. LOTS of room for both I feel without losing a step.

As far as the establishment itself, Lisa Schnieder and company treated Houston Music Review top notch with the VIP couch to the left of the stage.  Gave me plenty of photo and “boogie” space!  Sweet indeed.  MSC is located in the heart of Tomball and has been there since 2004.  It was a place created in the historic area to get people to gather.  It has evolved into an upscale, live entertainment venue during the week and a home for a handful of churches on the weekend.  Formed as a 501-c-3, tax exempt, non-profit organization, many evenings of music have been enjoyed and the 3 churches that call MSC “home” have done much important ministry in the community.  This joint has been a breath of fresh air to the Tomball music scene and beyond the surrounding area.  All the musicians that have played MSC and visitors say that there seems to be a “special vibe” about the place and it was there this particular night for sure.

They have gigs there Wednesday thru Friday and lean towards the country/folk /Americana side of the fence.  They have a limited, but tasty menu on gig nights and 45 beers (tad pricey) which include 20 Texas ones to boot.  My only nit pick was the too loud blabbing of the audience.  Seemed like too many in attendance were happy to be out for the night instead of enjoying a truly talented band.  It really detracts form the gig, but that’s just one on my pet peeves………….Sad to say it happens in a lot of places these days in our cell phone texting ass world we inhabit.

All in all this experience was well worth the haul to the boonies on a school night for sure.  HMR is stoked to get a hold of ‘The Double Down-Live from Denver’  (CD+DVD) coming out in 2012 which features the band’s live variations and extensions of original material mostly from their last two studio albums recorded at Denver’s Cervantes’ Other Side in October of 2011.  BOH is alive and kickin’ and their stellar LIVE performances full of improvisation and good jams-with killer songwriting-will continue very “comfortably”  thank you……………….Check somebody out this weekend somewhere boys & girls!