The Black Rabbits are young, talented, and lucky for them smack dab in the middle of the retro rock revolution. At the core of the group are brothers Jetson (guitar/vocals) and Skyler (drums) Black with bassist Reah Smith. Finally taking the stage at 11:30pm Jetson smartly kept the talking to a minimum, keeping the thinning Thursday night crowd and letting the band’s personality come thru the music. One opening act, obviously waiting around only for their take of the door, spent the entire 1st song making fun of the Black Rabbits. But if someone references Bye Bye Birdie chances are they know it all too well. The Black Rabbits are more Ramones in look than Bye Bye Birdie. Yet by the 3rd song that entire band was bobbing their heads and drumming their fingers. With just their simple but catchy tunes like “Pretty Baby” and “Emotion” The Black Rabbits not only won over their peers but doubled their audience by drawing in the pool players from the next room. Although technically better than many bassists 10 years her senior, at 15 years old, Reah Smith has not yet developed her confidence as a performer. With time maybe her stage presence will improve. Her harmonies were in tune and added depth to Jetson’s well-written songs. Still, watching a performance of someone that young on a Thursday night in a bar is kind of creepy. The Black Rabbits take all the best elements of music from the past 40 years and leave listeners with a tune they’re humming days later. The musical stew that is The Black Rabbits has some Buddy Holly and a little of the Ramones, with dashes of classic rock, emo (Yes. It can be good.), and grunge. The former pool players, rival bands, and newly converted fans all ate it up. If those in attendance can’t get the tunes out of their head they’ll ‘Hurry Hurry’ back to a Black Rabbits show very soon. 
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