so i got to catch what i’ll dub ‘plaidfolkboozefest 2009’ on sunday, as jarrod gorbel aka the honorary title embarks on a stripped down/solo tour with good old war and cory branan. this is a tour not to be missed if you want a fun night with a bunch of flannel wearing drunks. the tour is still in it’s early stages, so take a friend, your singing voice, and expect a hefty tab at the bar. recap and set list after the cut.

– panda

beer count: 2-3. after interviewing jarrod, i sat down with a friend just in time to see tour opener cory branan go on. as soon as he began speaking, you caught onto his southern charm. and as soon as you heard him sing, things just got better. accompanied by his freshly strung acoustic and a whiskey-soaked sense of sobriety, branan belted out angry, joyous, and solemn songs that emit the same southern charm you get when he talks. having never heard branan, i was immediately converted. i laughed harder, tapped my feet harder, and downed my beers faster.

cory branan on myspace.

good old war performing “coney island” in tallahasee, fl.

beer count: 4-5. vodka/sprite count: 1. the above video isn’t from dallas, but from a show in florida days earlier. they did the same thing at our show, complete with keith popping the same shirt open. as with the first time saw them opening for rx bandits, gow brought vocal magic to the stage. it really doesn’t get old seeing them live and hearing those three sing together. add hilarious booze-inspired between song banter, and you’ve got a hell of a set from the boys in good old war. unfortunately, i didn’t get a set list, but they did play “tell me” this time around (first song they played when they hopped into the crowd). that made for an amazing singalong.

good old war on myspace.

jarrod gorbel aka the honorary title performing “stay away” in dallas, tx.

beer count: 7ish? vodka/sprite count: 1. with waning sobriety, i walked back into the venue after a smoke break just in time to catch gorbel strumming the opening notes of “frame by frame”. an also seemingly inebriated gorbel kept the modest crowd singing along with a set that included what his loyals consider “classics” (everything i once had, revealing too much), songs from the band’s most recent album, and a couple of tracks from his solo tour ep, ten years older. he also kept us paying attention with double-timed between song rants, touching on (pun intended) topics like anal bead endorsements and.. well, i don’t really remember what else he talked about. musically though, gorbel was very much on point going through his catalog and his performing stripped down made for a perfect ending to the night.

the honorary title on myspace.

the honorary title setlist:
frame by frame
disengage
far more
thin layer
cut short
untouched and intact
bridge and tunnel
how long? with good old war
ten years older with good old war
everything i once had
revealing too much

– panda