"This Song is Dedicated to Everybody . . . Especially You."

A late-afternoon Ravens game--and a strict "no drinks in the auditorium" policy--limited the number of people who ventured beyond the Lyric Opera House's lobby before Wilco headlined a 2 1/2 hour, double-encore show on Sunday night.

But everyone who took their seats early enough to catch D.C.-based Benjy Ferree was treated to a tight set of rockabilly songs infused with a punk sensibility.

Backed by a quartet that included a cellist and Benjy's fiancee on drums, Ferree and company tore through a solid setlist that was prefaced with a few whistling introductions and some rapid-fire stage patter. (Between declarations of "peace and love," Ferree asked a woman near the front if he once served her a drink in D.C., and later declared, "This song is dedicated to everybody . . . especially you.")

It all made for a fun, raucous start to the night.
Unfortunately, if you were there, you probably missed it...

Benjy Ferree hosts a record release party at the Black Cat on February 28, 2009.