MidLifeVice

Incredible vocals and guitar work and just plain fun

“I hear that train acomin’.
Comin’ round the bend.
And I ain’t seen the sunshine
since I don’t know when.”

Almost everybody knows the Johnny Cash hit Folsom Prison, but not the way Mid Life Vice does it. When we walked into the Edgewild restaurant and wine bar near the Chesterfield Mall on Saturday night the boys (Brian Klos and Bryan Rankins) had just launched into it and the crowd was paying attention.

For those of you who haven’t seen them before Mid Life Vice is a really fun acoustic duo doing covers ala James Taylor, Neal Young, Led Zepplin…. and Johnny Cash. Whatever your favorite group was out of that era and they probably have something in their repertoire to please you. But whatever type of music you like, if you appreciate great singing and guitar work, you’re gonna like these guys.

Klos has a really fine tenor voice with almost perfect pitch and a big range. Smooth and expressive, his voice is well suited for the type of music Mid Life Vice does. Like Brian, I’m a big Peter Mayer fan. I think even Peter would approve of Brian’s version of PM’s “Does the Moonlight Shine on Paris?”.

If you think the singing is good, wait til you hear Bryan Rankins guitar work. He makes good songs even better with his signature “Nashvile Sound” clean and tasty guitar work. Chicken Pickin, Chet Atkins fingerstyle, couple of speed metal licks and just plain nice melodic playing characterize Bryan’s style. If you haven’t heard him, check him out doing a YouTube guitar demo for Bourgeous guitars. This guys smokes!!

Best of all, Mid Life Vice is just plain fun to watch. And watch ‘em you can. Check them out at the Creve Couer Lake House most Saturdays this summer and I’m betting they’ll be back at Edgewild soon. If you’re an acoustic music fan, make a date to see Mid Life Vice.