I was really glad that we snagged Henry Clay People early into our Hot Freaks! booking. It wasn’t hard, mind you, since Justin runs their record label. But I’d just heard so much good stuff about them from all my LA friends and readers that I was glad to finally get a chance to see them play all the songs I’d really been enjoying off their album For Cheap or for Free.

MP3: Henry Clay People – Something in the Water

HCP started their set off with “Something in the Water,” a song I named one of my 20 favorites in 2008. As they kicked it off, I was dashing towards the balcony to watch, grabbing friends along the way to tell them that “this band is amazing and this is probably their best song, so you’d better go watch!” Some of the These United States guys took my advice and later told me they were glad they did. It was like watching a much younger, but equally as enthusiastic version of the Hold Steady on stage. Joey, their lead singer, has the makings of a really memorable frontman. As these two photos show, he’s very often inclined to be kicking, jumping or just smiling big. I talked to him for a little bit after the show and was really impressed. Here’s hoping these guys get rewarded for their obvious passion and talent.