If you think the use of banjos, singing saw, slide guitar, and upright bass is enough to consign Devil Makes Three to the creaky realm of nostalgia, give a listen to the trios new third album, Do Wrong Right, which took the top slot on Billboards bluegrass chart. Equipped with a dark and rascally wit, singer Pete Bernhard conjures a skeletal crack-addict mother within the albums first 30 seconds and proceeds to romanticize hard drinking with a wink and a grin on Gracefully Facedown. Hailing from Santa Cruz of all places, the off-kilter outfit made a name for itself by pairing a reverently old-world sound with downright irreverent lyrics. Touring through the summer, the Devil Makes Three will be pushing Do Wrong Right until autumn, when Bernhard will release his second solo platter. Remember: any bluegrass band with a live album is worth beholding firsthand. With Hillstomp.
Thu., May 28, 8 p.m., 2009
