This Little Underground

The crowd for Brooklyn two-piece band Boom Chick (Nov. 18, McRaney’s Tavern) was small, like most shows at this venue. Even though the attendees were openly appreciative, this is one of those exceptional bands that shouldn’t have gone so unnoticed. Together, this duo is that special kind of sex between hot butter-cutting slide guitar and maraca-spiked beat stomps. Guitarist-singer Frank Hoier is a pretty legit bluesman, only with a very rock & roll energy – think Richie James Follin (Willowz) reborn as a Delta gunslinger. Peppering their set with covers of greats like Robert Johnson, Bo Diddley, Little Richard and Link Wray, they’re not just some hipster tourists. Oh, and when Hoier asked for a recommendation on a good local beer and was given an Orange Blossom Pilsner, they instantly did a cover of Johnny Cash’s version of “Orange Blossom Special” on the spot. Nice.

Boom Chick are the liveliest act I’ve seen here so far. This is a band that absolutely cannot slip politely into the background, and it was nice to see someone who can whip a bar crowd into attention. In the right setting, they could’ve had the joint swinging and sweaty. But whatever, they had their own party with their own small gathering of genuine listeners. Toldja they would.

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