Live Review: The Elvis Brothers with The Clique at The Lone Star in Kansas City, 12/10/85

After catching our fave local cover/original band the Clique, lead guitarist/singer Don Schmidt talked us into staying for the headliner, the Elvis Brothers. We did not regret it. That night, I became a fan for life of the pop/rockabilly trio.

Touring in support of their second studio album Adventure Time (produced by Adrian Belew), the trio is one of the best live shows out there – especially at smaller venues. These guys never got that big break but still have a huge fan base.

Hailing from Champagne, Illinois, these three fabulous musicians had known each other for a bit before forming the band in 1981. Drummer Brad Elvis, who clearly graduated from the Keith Moon School of Drumming as well as the Rick Nielsen school of slapstick, is a wonder. Known around the world as the four-handed drummer, Brad is the heartbeat of this band. But wait! It takes three to tango, and Rob is a guitar slinger in the first degree, playing that axe like he was the love child of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Chuck Berry, with a singing voice to back it up. Graham rounds out the band, with a McCartneyesque bass (and face) along with an equally impressive voice. Between Rob and Graham, the harmonies may take you back to the Fab Four.

While I failed to grab the setlist, I’m sure the boys played stuff off the new Adventure Time release, most likely “Burnin’ Desire,” “Somebody Call The Police,” and “Don’t Take My Guns Away.” Their debut album Movin’ Up from ’83 was filled with hooks and hits, including “(I Know You) Shake It,” “Red Dress,” and the burner “Fire in the City.”

I was in attendance with my fellow music lover Gregg, who bought the new album that night. Wanting to avoid dragging it around all evening, he ran out to his car and left it there, then returned for the remainder of the show. When we left the venue – ecstatic and high on The Elvis Brothers – he discovered someone had thrown a brick through the window of his ’73 Super Beetle and removed the stereo from the dash. But there was a silver lining: they left the record!

The songs are enough for a slot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but the true measure of a band is their live performances. And this band exceeded that mark. Funny, physical, and self-deprecating, these boys came to entertain. The show had such a good vibe with patrons dancing, the band taking request, and allowing us in to some humorous banter.

Looking forward to what’s next for these talented fellas.