Spy For Hire Live @Oxygen

Once again Columbus, Ga never stops amazing me with their support of local music.  As always, the turnout was incredible for the James Hall/Spy For Hire combo.  Enthusiastic?  Mild understatement of the year to say the least.  The music scene in Columbus could be called nothing less than a family.  A group of people with a common bond…. the love of music and the people who play it.  We have always felt like part of the family every time we go there.  Just a big thank you goes out to the hospitality to those in Columbus and even the transplants I see around everywhere in Atlanta .

I eagerly awaited to see James Hall take the stage.  I admit that I haven’t seen him and his band before and for that I should probably get the 4 knuckle pimp slap.  Not only do these guys slay live but they are the best guys to hang out with and have a beer.  I have to say that their lack of pretentiousness is refreshing in this band eat band world of music we exist in these days.  James Hall opened the show at Oxygen and personified all that is rock.  What I came away with was his sense of urgency to win over a crowd to whom most had never heard of in this town.  Not by being over presumptuous rock and roll cliche’ but by taking over the stage in a calling that is so missing from so many bands these days.  James and the gang raised the bar for Spy For Hire to follow up.

Follow up they did!  After the last show, I think that naturally my expectations were lowered due to the circumstances.  I guess, in a way, I underestimated how great Spy For Hire can be live.  They have put a lot into performing these songs and making a live show that is as good as an arena band out there.  Obviously as someone who has seen them many times due to being involved in their career as much as I am.   I can’t be completely biased but I still must tell you to check these guys out when they come to your town.  You won’t regret it.