Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears tickets on sale today; To play Off Broadway 2/15

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears are coming back to St. Louis. This time they’re here to warm up a winter night. Tickets go on sale for today for their show at Off Broadway next month.

The Austin based garage rock/funk band will play a show for their local fans on Wednesday, February 15.

Last June, the group sauntered through town for a hot set at Off Broadway, a favorite venue of music fans situated in the Historic Cherokee-Lemp neighborhood. They even laid down a few tracks in the 88.1 KDHX studios while they were in the city.

In a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune, Lewis dispelled the notion that the band is a soul revival band. Lewis advised that they “have to keep fighting that battle.” Even though references to Clarence Carter, Joe Tex or Tyrone Davis keep popping up, Lewis was not so much influenced by the soul that his dad and uncles listened to while growing up, but by more modern rock and hip hop.

Lewis, who cites James Brown and Lightnin’ Hopkins as two of his bigger influences, gets high marks from his band,

“The thing about the band is that we play with each other, not against each other. It’s not a pissing contest, the way it is in some bands. We communicate with each other without speaking, and I think that has a lot to do with Joe’s attitude — he has an amazing ability to just draw people in. For a lot of people, the blues is a museum piece, but Joe brings it into the moment.” -  Honeybears’ guitarist Zach Ernst

“Joe’s a really special, really natural performer,” says Spoon drummer Jim Eno, who thought enough of the band to lend his production skills to the group’s first two albums available from Lost Highway.

Word to the wise: I wouldn’t miss this show. Whatever Lewis wants to call his music, it will make you move and make you sweat. James Brown would be proud that 50 years on musicians have decided to carry on his groove.  Since it’s the day after Valentine’s Day, I’d bring your favorite lady or gentleman friend along. He or she will want to groove with you at the club and maybe even when you get home.

Check out a few videos below for yourself and tell me you don’t want to go. If you do I’m going to call you a liar.

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears – “Sugarfoot”

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears – “I’m Broke”

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears – “Living In The Jungle”