REVIEW: ZZ Top at Innsbrook

ZZ Top has always been a dichotomy -- a band that projects a cartoonish image with the beards, hats, shades and furry guitars, yet musically, churns out swampy blues rock that rivals idols such as Muddy Waters and Jimi Hendrix.

Both ZZs showed up tonight at Innsbrook's Snagajob.com Pavilion, with the classic rock radio-friendly hits "Got Me Under Pressure" and "Gimme All Your Lovin'" launching the 90-minute show.

Not more than a few minutes passed before guitarist/singer Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill -- dressed identically in black, wearing those sunglasses and cowboy hats and wielding instruments trimmed in fuchsia stepped into their trademark synchronized bob and sway move, which usually came during one of Gibbons' serpentine solos.

Initially, Gibbons sounded as if he'd been gargling with too much Jack Daniel's, his voice so hoarse and husky, it desperately needed the aid of Hill's higher register to cut some of the thickness.

But Gibbons' vocals settled well into the bluesy "Jesus Just Left Chicago," and he sounded appealingly gravelly when urging the crowd to pull out their "Cheap Sunglasses" before diving into the Texas swing of that song.

The well-lubricated crowd of about 6,000 never flinched during the intermittent mist that fell, hooting and hollering for ZZ Top's MTV-era hits.

The band eventually complied, but not before giving the younger members of the audience a history lesson with a raw, crunchy read of Hendrix's "Hey Joe" and a slow burn "Two Trains Running" from Waters' catalog.

ZZ Top spits out a big sound for three guys, with Gibbons alternating between slide guitar and buzzing riffs, Hill's nifty fingerwork providing the melodic backdrop to many songs and drummer Frank Beard (ironically the only unbearded member of the group) anchoring it all with his sturdy hands.

A couple of hits from the band's monster 1983 album, "Eliminator," rounded out the main set -- a singalong of "Sharp Dressed Man" that segued into the visual highlight of the show, "Legs." For that fondly remembered tune, which sounded record-perfect, Gibbons and Hill played instruments plastered with white-fur as their microphone stands blinked with blue and green lights.

Tonight's show was the first of a handful of dates before the trio heads to Europe for a few weeks and then kicks off its summer tour with Aerosmith June 21 at Nissan Pavilion in Manassas.

Given their seemingly effortless stroll though encores of "Tube Steak Boogie" and "La Grange," it should be a pleasant summer for the rock legends.

Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or .