Anyone who has seen The Smart Brothers live knows that the duo put on an incredibly entertaining and theatrical show. The San Diego duo work the crowd like Vaudevillian performers, tossing instruments back and forth, winking at the audience, and hearkening back to a bygone era in a way that belies their youthful appearance. The band’s limitless energy and charisma can make it easy to forget that the soggy-bottomed boys also excel at tender ballads.
Just as the solemn “Heaven’s Gate” and “Lullaby” were highlights of their impressive self-titled debut, the new video for “The Best I Ever Had”—the first single from their upcoming sophomore album—proves that The Smart Brothers are at their most affecting when they downshift into more somber territory. With its Morricone-esque lead riff and sepia hues, the video is a nice display of the Brothers’ introspective side. Or, at least as introspective as one can be while wearing a fake mustache.
The endlessly nomadic troubadours can currently be found playing a plethora of dates across the country, including a CD release show at Lestat’s Coffee House in June. Do the smart thing and go catch them live.
Video and tour dates after the jump.
Tour Dates:
Apr 24 2009 The Bridge Gulf Breeze, Florida
Apr 26 2009 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Mobile, Alabama
Apr 29 2009 Sluggo’s w/ Peelander-Z Pensacola, Florida
May 1 2009 First Fridays Downtown Pensacola, Florida
May 6 2009 Birmingham Southern College Birmingham, Alabama
May 7 2009 Engine Room Tallahassee, Florida
May 8 2009 Hub Stacy’s – Perdido Perdido, Florida
May 9 2009 Distinctive Kitchens – Orange Beach Orange Beach, Alabama
May 14 2009 Mossy Headz Music Festival Mossy Head, Florida
May 15 2009 Mossy Headz Music Festival Mossy Head, Florida
May 16 2009 Mossy Headz Music Festival Mossy Head, Florida
May 17 2009 Mossy Headz Music Festival Mossy Head, Florida
Jun 5 2009 Pensacola CD Release Pensacola, Florida
Jun 9 2009 Lestat’s – CD Release Show San Diego, California
Jun 12 2009 Bands on the Beach Gulf Breeze, Florida
Jun 19 2009 Feed the Beast – Zoo Benefit Gulf Breeze, Florida
Jun 26 2009 WDVX Blue Plate Special Knoxville, Tennessee
Jun 26 2009 Bonfire Smokehouse and Bus Pit Kingsport, Tennessee
Jun 27 2009 Jack O’ the Wood Asheville, North Carolina
Jul 21 2009 Day Fest Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Jul 22 2009 Day Fest Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Jul 23 2009 Floyd Fest Floyd, Virginia
Jul 24 2009 Floyd Fest Floyd, Virginia
Jul 25 2009 Floyd Fest Floyd, Virginia
Jul 26 2009 Floyd Fest Floyd, Virginia
Aug 27 2009 Plaza De Luna Pensacola, Florida
Sep 19 2009 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Bristol, Virginia
Sep 20 2009 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Bristol, Virginia
Oct 3 2009 Bedrock 66 concert series Springfield, Illinois