Gig Alert: Evan Dando Solo Gig at The Prophet Bar Tonight

Hailing from the same town myself, I may be a biased, but, man, do I love Boston’s The Lemonheads. Have ever since the first time I heard the band’s fifth release, 1992’s It’s A Shame About Ray, actually–which, OK, probably made me a late adopter, but, sue me, it was the band’s big breakthrough release. And I was 8 years old at the time.

I don’t think this much can even be debated: Evan Dando’s indie-bent alt-rock songs, although maybe a little sappy at times, have always been affecting and pleasing in their slackerish, sloppy-yet-melodic presentation. And it wasn’t even a fleeting thing: Over the course of its three biggest releases–Ray and on through 1993’s Come On Feel The Lemonheads and 1996’s Car Button Cloth–Dando and Co. put their stamp on this sound and owned the crap out of its passionately detached aesthetic. Hell, even 2006’s self-titled comeback record had its moments, even if it featured a whole new cast surrounding the reluctant frontman. And the support performances for that record found Dando a little older and a little quieter, maybe, but no less engaging.

Expect a similar display at the Prophet Bar tonight as Dando stops through town for a performance in support of last year’s covers collection, Varshons. It’s just a solo gig, unfortunately–and our colleagues in St. Louis were more confused than anything when he recently stopped through their city–but the show found him mixing up the new and old and sprinkling in more than a few Lemonheads classics.

For as I’m concerned, this would be the show of the night this Tuesday evening–were it not for some guy named Jay-Z rolling through the AAC, at least. Still, for my fanboy money, this Prophet Bar offering’s about as good as second options get.