Hooray for friggin' Shiner, people. I really think they're just a fine example of Rock in America. And as a band, they're solid as they come.
I just saw 'em last Friday night at Bottom of the Hill, here in SF. The bill was kinda weird, though. The headlining band was some funk band, with members of Parliament/Funkadelic. Shiner was the first band.
I have a feeling that Shiner could only play SF that very Friday, but Bottom of the Hill had already booked the P-Funk thing. But, Bottom being Bottom, and Shiner being Shiner, they knew that it would just have to be a strange bill that night, 'cause Shiner sure as hell has to play SF.
That being the case, there were plenty of rocker dudes (Shiner's fanbase in SF is largely male, it seems) standing around, waiting for the band to start. In stark contrast, there was a huge regime of dressed-up, swanky-looking funk fans, and it'd be safe to say that many of them haven't seen a band the likes of Shiner ever. I mean, Shiner's loud, if you haven't seen them.
But the public response was actually pretty good, all things considered. The place filled up pretty fast with Marina-looking SF types, but they were actually super appreciative - not a single heckle. Maybe they were scared.
Anyway, the Shiner set was great, and I can't wait until their new record.