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Hank Williams III gives rowdy show

April 3, 2006
Hank Williams III performs at the Temple Club in Lansing on Friday evening. Hank III performed two sets, one country and one metal. —

Broken bottles, vomit and country music — an equation for rowdiness that amounted to fun for many at the Hank Williams III concert.

Throw in metal with unintelligible vocals, an opening act that focused more on image than talent and a venue full of drunks — some of whom draped themselves in confederate flags — and you've got The Temple Club on Friday night.

The floor of the church-turned-venue bounced under the pressure of moshers, drunks and rednecks making up a sold-out crowd at the Hank III show.

Beer bottles were raised in salutatory fashion as Hank III's country band took the stage. The level of hoots and hollers was deafening.

Hank III performed songs from all three of his albums, including many from his most recent release, "Straight to Hell." He also played covers by some of his country heroes (including his father and grandfather), all of which resulted in a massive, drunken sing-a-long as the floor continued to bob.

"You Never Even Called Me by My Name" — a country song made popular by David Allan Coe, Johnny Cash's "Cocaine Blues," and Hank Williams' hit "My Bucket's Got a Hole In It" were among the covers.

One complaint about Friday's show was that both bars within the main room were understaffed. Some patrons reported waiting in line for about an hour to get a drink. The long wait lead many to purchase two or three beers at a time for their own personal consumption. Another common complaint was that the show was a "dude fest," meaning female attendance was at a bare minimum.

Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies opened for Hank III, and the frontman seemed perturbed that people were talking during his set. Donning a red bandana and a pair of aviator sunglasses, the frontman's complaint was met by a "you suck!" from an audience member. But that sentiment wasn't held by every body.

After a phenomenal country set, Hank III's band of upright bass, banjo, stand up steel, fiddle, drums and guitar left the stage and made way for Assjack — Hank III's "hellbilly" metal band. The floor was cleared of nonmoshers as the defiant, loud group took the stage by storm as part of the second set.

Nick Starr of Clio seemed to be one of the few audience members sipping on coke without any whiskey. Being on probation, Starr was the designated driver for his entourage that drove more than an hour to for the show. Starr has seen Hank III multiple times, and even has a tattoo of three skulls above his wrist, signifying his appreciation for the artist.

"The country set was the best part, he keeps getting better every time I see him," Starr said. "This is a great place to see a show."

Brad Cane of Brighton said Hank III always sounds good, and he enjoyed his new material as well as Assjack's set.

"I don't like the metal more than the country … I always have fun because by that time I'm always wasted and I … try to get thrown around in the mosh pit a little bit."

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