The Spampinato Brothers 11/11/10 Cafe Nine

I got hooked on NRBQ at the end of the 70's and followed them through their prime years as the World's Greatest Bar Band. They carried on after the great Al Anderson left for Nashville in 1994. Joey Spampinato's kid brother Johnny stepped in, replacing Al in guitar, and Terry Adams kept making his zany magic on piano. But ten years later Terry went on hiatus (reportedly with carpal tunnel syndrome) and has since been playing with new bands. When I saw the Terry-less NRBQ billed as Baby Macaroni at Toad's Place a few Thanksgivings ago they were underwhelming.

Now come the Stampinato Brothers plus drums and second guitar in a piano-less rock quartet. They're playing guitar pop free of having to measure up to the legend, and sounding better for it. Joey, Johnny and guitarist Aaron Spade take turns on vocals and oohing and ahhing in the background. The catchy songs have infectious hooks and driving guitars.

It wasn't an NRBQ greatest hits or oldies show, even though the 90 minute, 22 song set contained plenty of Q songs. The band mixed up new originals, covers and some of Joey's songs from his old band, all with natural rockin' rhythm sound. Great rhythms and harmonies, solid bass and tasty licks. They played I Say Good-Day Goodnight, A Bear is a Bear is a Bear and others from their new album Pie in the Sky. Through the night they mined the old NRBQ repertoire with I got a Rocket in My Pocket, Flat Footed Flewzy, A Little Bit of Bad (Sounds Good to Me), You Can't Hide, If I Don't Have You, and more, including Beatles (You're Gonna Lose That Girl) and Stones (Baby Baby You're Out of Time) covers.

An hour into their set the band hits its stride with a smoking dirty fast Route 66. Then Joey takes back the reins with Wild Weekend. Five more songs and they closed the set calling Dr. Howard: "Ain't it All Right"

The band walked off the stage through the crowd to steady applause, went back behind the kitchen and waited. One old fan next to me lamented that we couldn't chant NRBQ. The band walked back out as the crowd called out requests. They sang about getting the blues when it rains then rocked out with "Get Rhythm".

"Yes a jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It'll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the blues"