Stage presence: The Wiseacres

Originally published February 18, 2010 at midnight, updated February 17, 2010 at 9:02 p.m.

The WiseAcres describe their musical sound as “hellbelly hybrid bluegrass hootenanny hick-hop.” This genre is not currently accepted by musicologists, so let’s just say their music is full of quips and rhythmic variation. “We like to play songs that we like to sing and audiences can have fun with,” says Cliff Davis, guitarist.

The group has written songs about Quantrill’s raid, President Obama and even a song called “White Trash Wedding,” a bluegrass parody of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.”

Check out the WiseAcres

When? Tonight, Feb. 18

Time? 10 p.m.

Where? Eighth Street Tap Room

Opener? Das Furbender

Cost? $3

Age limit? 21+

“We’re a little devilish. We like to poke fun at things, but everything’s fair game — even ourselves,” says Tim Manning, upright-bass player. Manning played in punk bands and psychedelic bands when he was younger, but says he landed on bluegrass because it appeals to multiple generations.

The band’s influences range from Johnny Cash and Split Lip Rayfield to performers at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival and even the Midday Ramblers, a Lawrence bluegrass band. Clint Gentry, banjo, learned how to play by watching the Midday Rambler’s banjo player, Leo Posch.

The WiseAcres have almost doubled the amount of shows they are playing compared to last year. They got serious about what they can do acoustically as three members, but they like playing with more people, Gentry says.

The WiseAcres will be playing with a new vocalist, percussionist and dobro guitar player at 10 p.m. tonight at the Eighth Street Taproom, 801 New Hampshire St. Catch the show to hear the new wit of the WiseAcres.

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