What do you get when you put a banjo and guitar in

What do you get when you put a banjo and guitar in the hands of a soul-searching punk-rocker from Pennsylvania? Apparently you get Langhorne Slim, whose show at Tractor Tavern in Ballard last night was a crowd-pleasing, boot-stomping hit. Slim’s third album, Be Set Free was just released and combines thoughtful lyrics and hip-swaying melodies in a unique folksy, punk-ish album.Photos by Victoria Holt.Published on July 15, 2011

Slim waits for drummer Malachi DeLorenzo to remember the cue. The band had great chemistry, teasing each other and having fun.

Slim waits for drummer Malachi DeLorenzo to remember the cue. The band had great chemistry, teasing each other and having fun.

Just when everyone thought the show was over, Slim came out for a couple more songs with the crowd.

Just when everyone thought the show was over, Slim came out for a couple more songs with the crowd.

Molly and two other women were ecstatic to be pulled on stage to dance by Mr. Slim.

Molly and two other women were ecstatic to be pulled on stage to dance by Mr. Slim.

Jeff Ratner on bass got quite a bit of attention from a woman on the left side of the stage. Unfortunately, Slim informed her she was about a week and a half late!

Jeff Ratner on bass got quite a bit of attention from a woman on the left side of the stage. Unfortunately, Slim informed her she was about a week and a half late!

David Moore (right) is the best banjo player in the world. The smears on the banjo may or may not be blood.

David Moore (right) is the best banjo player in the world. The smears on the banjo may or may not be blood.

Slim had a disagreement with the microphone cord, which wouldn't stretch far enough for him to go further into the crowd.

Slim had a disagreement with the microphone cord, which wouldn’t stretch far enough for him to go further into the crowd.

Slim joined crowd to sing with audience members and tell stories.

Slim joined crowd to sing with audience members and tell stories.

When a cowboy grows up punk, or a punk grows up in the country, he does things like change his name to one fit for an old Western and play guitar behind his head.

When a cowboy grows up punk, or a punk grows up in the country, he does things like change his name to one fit for an old Western and play guitar behind his head.

Sassparilla from Portland, OR opened the night with their fast-paced, punk-root, blood-jug holler music.

Sassparilla from Portland, OR opened the night with their fast-paced, punk-root, blood-jug holler music.

The guy in the middle REALLY liked that shout out.

The guy in the middle REALLY liked that shout out.

Molly said she's seen Slim countless times, and was ecstatic to see him up close and personal again. How personal we talkin?

Molly said she’s seen Slim countless times, and was ecstatic to see him up close and personal again. How personal we talkin?

Slim makes every member of the audience feel involved, standing on amps to get closer to fans. The girl in the black beanie was unimpressed.

Slim makes every member of the audience feel involved, standing on amps to get closer to fans. The girl in the black beanie was unimpressed.

Slim lost his hat countless times over the course of the evening, but it always managed to find it's way back to his noggin.

Slim lost his hat countless times over the course of the evening, but it always managed to find it’s way back to his noggin.

This particular line was one of the more thoughtful in Slim's songs.

This particular line was one of the more thoughtful in Slim’s songs.

Langhorne Slim, born Sean Scolnick, plays his thoughtful folk tunes with vigor fit for hardcore punk shows. Langhorne was the town in Pennsylvania Slim was born in.

Langhorne Slim, born Sean Scolnick, plays his thoughtful folk tunes with vigor fit for hardcore punk shows. Langhorne was the town in Pennsylvania Slim was born in.

The hat and glasses make for expert, innovative dance moves.

The hat and glasses make for expert, innovative dance moves.

Ross McDonald is one of the founding members of Sassparilla, and an expert harmonica player. At any one time he has about 35 harmonicas on his person.

Ross McDonald is one of the founding members of Sassparilla, and an expert harmonica player. At any one time he has about 35 harmonicas on his person.

The face of blood-jug holler.

The face of blood-jug holler.