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| Brothers Osborne @ the Fox Theater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
The duo called the
Brothers Osborne is comprised of, well, two brothers with the last name of Osborne. John and TJ Osborne have more in common than just the last name, though. They are true lovers of many facets of music; country, southern rock, and blues, and they incorporate all of that into each song they play. While some in the country vein are adding the popular hip-hop and rap stylings to the genre, these boys are picking up the reins where bands like Lynyrd Skynard and the Allman Brothers left off. And they are kicking ass doing it, too! I caught them at
last year's Dierks Bentley show in the Bay Area where they were second on the bill. A 45 minute set is nothing to these guys and I knew when I saw them then that they needed to headline a show. TJ mentioned early on in the evening that it had been some time since going out on their own, but to me, they should have been doing it the whole time.
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| Devon Gilfillian @ the Fox Theater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
Of course, traveling with big acts can be good for any band, and the Brothers have an opener traveling with them named
Devon Gilfillian. He brought a few friends along to help lay down the groove to get things started. His style is R&B/soul and was a great fit to open the show. A soulful, smooth operator on the brink of breaking into an outright rock show, he kept his 40 minute set tight, riding that fine line by building up the tension that makes that music so downright appealing.
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| John Osborne of Brothers Osborne @ the Fox Theater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
A 20 minute break following the opening act gave way to dimming lights met with a roar of the gathered crowd. Looking back at the venue I could see no end to fans that came out last night to enjoy a night of music. As the band worked through a few opening songs, lead singer, TJ, addressed the crowd. He thanked everyone for coming out and commented on the beautiful theater that is the
Fox Theater Oakland. A true gem in the SF Bay Area, it was the first time the boys had played there. The Deale, Maryland natives have been traveling the world for the last five years gathering up thousands of fans in the process. Songs like "Weed, Whiskey, and Willie", "Down Home", "Rum" and "Tequila Again" are perhaps stories we can all relate to, though maybe more for some than others. Country songs have very common themes which are very relatable, and if you don't find them in one artist, you'll certainly find them in another. But they're all catchy tunes and fun to sing, as the near capacity crowd belted out all night. In a sea of flannel, denim, boots, and beer, I found myself caught up in the excitement of all the fans, trying to mouth the words so I didn't look too out of place. I'll learn 'em all soon enough.
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| TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne @ the Fox Theater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
They finished off "21 Summer", with lead guitarist, brother John, playing the mandolin from "Tequila Again" on, then into a cover of Steve Earle's 'Copperhead Road'. This was one I could join in on, and lent itself well to their whole sound. I was expecting a cover of an Allman Brothers' song at some point, finding out afterward they played 'Whipping Post' at the previous show. Just my luck! A few more very cool songs 'Stay A Little Longer' and the always fun 'It Ain't My Fault' showed off the bands' mastery of their instruments and led into a few minutes break. The crowd chanted their names calling them back to the stage, unrelentingly until the brothers returned. The two brothers then took to their guitars and played a great, extended version (9 mins.) of 'Love the Lonely Out of You'. Along with 'Rum', this was one of my favorites of the night.
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| Brothers Osborne @ the Fox Theater (Photo: Ken McCain) |
By the end of that song, the other four returned, then TJ introduced Devon and his band back onto the stage for one last song. I've seen this with a few of the country acts I've covered in the last few years, and it's pretty cool. So there they were, 10 musicians up on stage, and one could only guess at what they might play. It only took a few notes to figure it out, though, and they were off with a cover of the Beatles 'With a Little Help From My Friends'. They covered it a la Joe Cocker, a very soulful rendition, each frontman taking lead and trading it off, just the way friends help each other. A great way to end a great night indeed!
The Brothers continue their
tour throughout the US into early June, returning to California briefly in mid-May, then gone to Tennessee and towards the east coast. Catch 'em then or when they come around to your place.
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