Low Cut Connie at the Bowery Ballroom

Adam Weiner is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, but he paid his professional dues in New York City playing piano in gay bars, karaoke bars, restaurants and ballet classes, often under the name Ladyfingers. He began collaborating with other musicians in 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The rock and roll project eventually was named Low Cut Connie, reportedly referencing a post-middle aged waitress who often wore low-cut tops at a restaurant near where Weiner lived. Low Cut Connie's third album, Hi Honey, was released April 21, 2015; a fourth album will be released in early 2017. Low Cut Connie presently consists of vocalist/pianist Weiner, guitarists James Everhart and Will Donnelly, bassist Lucas Rinz and drummer Larry Scotton.

Returning to the Bowery Ballroom tonight after headlining there just seven months ago, Weiner was even more ostentatious in his presentation. "Are you guys here, are you guys ready to get weird, are you guys ready to make a baby tonight?" Weiner asked the audience. Low Cut Connie opened with a fearless rocker, "Back in School," then launched into "Boozophilia," a song about people who love to drink in dive bars; that song achieved stardom when it was included on President Obama's summer playlist. The piano-led barroom rockers maintained a feverish pace throughout the set. Lyrics were humorously decadent in "Pity Party", "Scoliosis in Secaucus", and "Rio," but probably reached maximum silliness in "Shake It Little Tina," a song about a man who dresses up like Tina Turner on the weekends. The band also introduced three songs from a forthcoming album. The set also included a reworked piano-led version of the Misfits' "Where Eagles Dare," Iggy Pop's "Success," and ended with Prince's "Conroversy." Taking tips from Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, Weiner inflicted extensive abuse on his piano, which he named Shondra after an aging dancer in Atlanta. Quite the stage ham, Weiner stood on his piano, banged its keys with his body and his microphone stand, and generally knocked Shonda around recklessly. Low Cut Connie played fine rock and roll, and Weiner once again proved to be an electrifying performer.

Visit Low Cut Connie at www.lowcutconnie.com.