Whoever came up with the idea of marrying Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers and Cowboy Mouth together in one concert deserves an award. There may not be another, more electrifying performance the rest of this month, and possibly this year.

Both lead singers were able to get everyone on their feet, and often times in the air Sept. 12 at the 9:30 Club. For those who came late to the show and missed the Peacemakers’ opening set, this was a huge mistake. Clyne and his band poured themselves into the hour-long time slot they were given.
In fact, this limited format seemed almost criminal to the Peacemakers, whose original song catalogue is nearing 100. Often bands will play only songs from their most recent album in order to sell it, but Clyne wisely chose some old classics. Perennial fan favorites, Mekong, Wanted, Banditos, and Nada made their way into the set, but newer songs Captain Suburbia, Mañana and Hello New Day were also show highlights.

A lover of tequila, Clyne found a fan waiting with a shot as he took the stage. Before even playing the first note, he grabbed the offering and tilted his head back to drain the liquid. The tequila flowed freely throughout the night and on his third shot, Clyne visibly winced before tossing the glass behind him into the stage’s backdrop.

Twenty minutes into the set, Clyne was drowning in a sea of sweat. When he whipped his head back to sing, it looked like someone had thrown a bucket of water in the air. All of this was the result of singing and rapidly strumming his guitar. This enthusiasm did not go unnoticed, as the band performed their final notes; the crowd gave a rousing ovation, applauding a show done well.
But the concert was only a third finished. As Cowboy Mouth took the stage, singer/drummer Fred LeBlanc said with a shout, “Are you with me? Are you glad to be alive?” Indeed, the audience was alive and replied with a roar. Over the next couple hours, the band played with a frenzy on par with The Peacemakers’ fervor, only they were not encumbered with a time limit.

Playing a number of songs which riled up the crowd including Disconnected, How Do You Tell Someone, and Belly which is off their latest album, “Fearless.” In a surprise move, the band’s biggest hit, Jenny Says, did not close out the concert. When the band returned for its final encore with the Bruce Springsteen cover song, Born to run, it brought Roger Clyne back on stage to send off the audience with big stupid grins on their faces.