It was a Friday night — Oct. 15 to be exact — and once again Dean and I had a hankering for dinner with a side of live music. Upon checking Facebook for local music events, I spotted a show at one of my favorite restaurants in the Aiken Alley. The Tailgate Tavern was hosting Guns For Hire, so we headed over the river to check them out.
The Alley was hopping when Dean and I arrived. Cars circled the parking lot, and by the time I drove in, I found only one spot left. I quickly snapped it up.
The Tailgate Tavern is tucked in between Mellow Mushroom and the Aiken Brewing Company and is a sports bar with a down home feel. Guns For Hire was setting up to play in front of the restaurant when we arrived. The outside tables were taken, so we entered and seated ourselves at a table in the back. Within seconds a server greeted us and took down our drink orders. Our table was nearest the outdoor bar — yes, there are two bars — and we were able to hear music streaming in from the outside as servers entered and exited through the doorway.
For an appetizer, we tried the smoked Gouda mac and cheese bites that were served with a drizzle of Sriracha sauce. Spicy and oh so good! Each of us had a burger for dinner. Tailgate Tavern crafts delicious hamburgers that pair wonderfully with a cold beer. I chose the All American, and Dean went for the Black and Blue.
Guns For Hire played for the dinner crowd that gathered on a beautiful early evening. The local duo featuring Josh Pierce and Dave Mercer engaged the crowd putting on an incredible show with a bluesy take on classic rock. Armed with acoustic guitars, Guns For Hire blazed through a hot set list featuring “You Wreck Me” by Tom Petty and “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin. Other songs included “Red House” by Jimi Hendrix and “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by the legendary Kris Kristofferson. The incredibly strong vocals of Pierce and Mercer lent themselves well to each song on the set list.
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After a string of covers, Guns For Hire played one of their originals, a song called “Losing You.” It was an Americana-infused tune that reminded me a bit of the music by early 70s’ rock band Big Star. Later, Guns For Hire crooned the George Jones classic country hit, “Tennessee Whiskey.”
As the evening progressed, the Alley filled with people, some walking their dogs, others sitting on benches and soaking up the delicious autumn weather. The sun began to set, and the moon stood high in the sky. As the music continued, I felt myself transported back to the balmy early fall days of my childhood while Pierce and Mercer played the songs of my youth. Their set list provided a warm, organic mix that touched my soul. When the duo launched into “Midnight Rider” by the Allman Brothers, Guns For Hire cemented themselves in my mind as a force to be reckoned with and an act we will definitely see again.
If you’re in the mood for a beer, a burger and a game, Tailgate Tavern is the place for you. They stock a wide variety of bottled beers with a handful of taps for those who prefer a draft. Tailgate is a great place to people watch with superb wait staff and great pub food. The Tavern offers entertainment nearly every night of the week, from live music to karaoke. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/tailgatetavernaiken/
Itching to see Guns For Hire? Follow them online at https://gunsforhire79.wixsite.com/my-site.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
