“We’re recording this for a live LP, so everybody have lots of fun!” Bobby Hussy announces behind a wall of tuning instruments at the beginning of the album. Dropping the needle on Live at High Noon Saloon is very much like walking into a club as The Hussy takes the stage. Opening a live album with a reference to the album you’re listening to is both meta and hilarious. But razor-sharp wit is one of the things The Hussy do best.
Combining elements of garage, thrash, and punk, The Hussy are just as fun as they are unique.
One minute they’re ripping into Dinosaur Jr-esque noise pop, and Devo-meets-Nirvana the next. You really don’t know where The Hussy are taking you but you know it will be enjoyable. The guitar is gnarly and the vocal hooks are feral or fun with a flip of a coin. However, being all over the place tone-wise doesn’t mean they lack any focus. There is zero downtime on the setlist of this live album. Once it starts, it doesn’t let up.
Capturing a band in their natural habitat is something Shed House Records does like no other. And just like the previous releases I’ve covered from the label, Live at High Noon Saloon is a reference quality live album for any home set-up. The sound quality on this record makes you feel like you are actually there experiencing a live set. I don’t know how they do it but Shed House Records is the definitive live album label.
The most important element of Live at High Noon Saloon is just how good the songs are.
The Hussy have been around quite a while. Based out of Wisconsin, I’ve had the opportunity to catch them live a few times in my day. Each time I’ve caught them, they have blown me away with their live show. I actually saw them live twice before I found myself listening to one of their albums. So in many ways, the quality of Live at High Noon Saloon makes it a killer sampler of what they have to offer as a band.
As with most releases from Shed House Records, Live at High Noon Saloon is available in very limited quantities. But, as an added bonus, each vinyl copy of the album comes with a DVD of the performance! Overall, I can’t think of any other way to get into The Hussy. Live at High Noon Saloon is an amazing vinyl/DVD collection for any audiophile out there, but also for newbies who want to get into The Hussy but don’t know where to start.
Pre-order your copy of The Hussy: Live at High Noon Saloon at Shed House Records today!
