We debated back and forth on our way there if we had been to 3rd & Lindsley before (another reason to have this blog - memory loss is real, people!) and almost convinced ourselves that we surely had based on all the great music they have there, but when we pulled up in front of the place and walked inside we knew we had not been here before because we would have surely remembered how down-right strange the place is.
3rd & Lindsley as it says on its sign is a "bar and grill" in every sense of the moniker. It's basically a sit-down restaurant that happens to have a small stage in the front of the establishment. There is no open area to stand in front of the stage like most venues that serve food, have tables and also have music. Here the tables push right up against the stage. They also have a small loft overlooking the stage with a few bar tables as well. This is where we got stuck for the show despite being there an hour before the music even started? Lesson learned if we come back. The show was sold out and we were actually lucky to get a couple of seats with somewhat obstructed views of the stage. The show was part of a weekly Sunday-night showcase broadcasted live from 3rd & Lindsley on the local indie station, Lightning 100. The opening act was introduced by their senior DJ, David Hall (rocks ya'll) and it was 16 Frames, a young up-and-coming band out of L.A. When the band started, we knew it was going to be worth the crowded conditions and obstructed views because the acoustics were spot on. 16 Frames is a solid ensemble whose original songs however all kind of sound the same. The most memorable part of their set were two covers of a Rolling Stones hit and a Tom Petty song.
After a quick break it was time for Better Than Ezra. These guys rose to fame in the mid-90s with their platinum debut album, Deluxe. They were in Nashville to support their seventh studio album, Paper Empire. They opened the acoustic show with the first indie hit off the new album, "Absolutely Still." Great, great song. They played for a solid hour cranking out one solid song after another. Unlike 16 Frames, there was no mistaking one BTE song for another. Let's just say, you will never mistake "Desperately Wanting" with "Juicy." After an hour the live broadcast was over and charismatic lead singer, Kevin Griffin, exclaimed, "OK, now we can curse!" The band continued on for another half-hour of great songs including a couple of quirky covers including Pete Townsend's "Let My Love Open the Door." A great night of music despite a few setbacks and learning experiences.
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