Ned Van Go made the trek North from East Nashville to rock Tidballs, and they did indeed take care of business. On this three-band night they played a brisk, sharp, one-hour set of songs about truth, injustice, and the American way. Playing all of my favorites like “Marry a Waitress”, $1,000 Car”, “Charlene”, “Battleship Chains”, and “Bedroom Wall”, it was a great night of hard driving, foot stompin, straight-shooting rock and roll. The band was on it’s game tonight.

Ned Van Go is Ned Hill on rhythm guitar, harmonica, and lead vocals, newcomer and mandolin virtuoso Bob Grant on lead guitar and backing vocals, the booming, and I do mean booming bass of Viva Becker, and completing the rhythm section is his brother Reggie Becker, who pounds away on that drumset. This is rock and roll at it’s purest level, each member putting his heart and soul into the performance and the songs.  And they’re tighter than a tightrope. You might call it rock-a-billy, or you might call it roots rock, but I prefer to call it rock-infused roots with a side of good old Americana. The songs are about life; life in a small town, life in a factory, love, life as a struggling musician. Anotherwords, it’s real. So next time you want to rock out and get real, go see Ned Van Go.

For more info on the band you can check them out on Reverbnation and/or Facebook. There latest album is Heartbroke City and you can purchase it on cdbaby.com. Check it all out. If you like to rock you won’t be disappointed.

Ned Van Go performed at Tidballs on 9/24/2011.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman