Casey Neill & the Norway Rats, Sassparilla, McDougall

[BLUE-COLLAR ROCK’N’ROLL] Casey Neill is an unapologetic disciple of Springsteen. That doesn’t mean he blatantly mimics New Jersey’s favorite son (though, in his more rousing moments, he sometimes comes close), but beneath the roots-y surface of Goodbye to the Rank and File, his first album backed by the Norway Rats—which nods more toward Richard Thompson, frankly—there’s a certain working-class, denim-wrapped quality that is undoubtedly the byproduct of having seen the Boss live a few-dozen times. There are nods to other heroes in Neill’s songwriting as well—from Steve Earle to Joe Strummer—but it’s less in the sound than the feel, which is rough, rugged and always honest. 

Where: Doug Fir Lounge
Phone: 231-9663
Address: 830 E Burnside St.
Website: www.dougfirlounge.com