Photos by Andy Argyrakis

In the two decades since longtime artist/Academy Award-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton (“Sling Blade,” “A Simple Plan,” “Monster’s Ball,” “Bad Santa”) and Grammy Award-winning sound engineer J.D. Andrew (The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, The Pussycat Dolls, Guy Clark) founded The Boxmasters, the band quickly formed a dedicated fan base by being incredibly prolific in the studio and active on the road.

An almost annual release schedule now totaling over 20 albums led them to global travels, either opening for the A-list likes of The Who, ZZ Top, Steve Miller Band and many more, or headlining the regarded and restored likes of the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

The “Morro Rock” Tour was the reason this round, taking its title from the Morro Bay, California sound that shaped its latest long-player, “In The Bay,” which certainly recalls the region’s very own The Beach Boys, alongside The Beatles and The Byrds of the surrounding era in general.

In other words, The Boxmasters came across like textbook 1960s rock & roll revivalists, crossed with the modern day chemistry of singer Thornton, guitarist/vocalist Andrew, fellow guitarist Kirk McKim, bassist Raymond Hardy and drummer Nick Davidson.

“Emily,” “Jupiter Man” and “She Looks Like Betty Page” firmly established their sunny, surfy dispositions, while the musicians wearing matching serviceman suits further reflected the retro nature of the night.

Everyone kept right on electrifying during “Go Like This,” “Garage,” “Sounds About Right” and “Clear Enough” as the group’s logo or lyrics beamed above and a wall of amplifiers suggested their serious commitment to regularly revving up some “Modbilly,” or rather, a personally patented mix of British Invasion meets rockabilly.

Though The Boxmasters aren’t necessarily known for specific singles per se, there were clearly several fan favorites, plus Thornton’s frequent stories and down to earth presentation gave insight into the songwriting process, even previewing “Where Did The Fun Go.”

Furthermore, the Edgar Allen Poe-inspired “Light Of Lenore” was beautifully haunting and “Feels Like Peace” evolved into a blustery jam as Billy Bob shook hands with the medium but mighty crowd, building up to the rootsy underdog anthem “True American Racer” when the Genesee buckled in and enjoyed every second of the ride.

For additional information on Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, visit BillyBobThornton.net and TheBoxmasters.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Band Of Horses (Aug. 9); Violent Femmes (Aug. 16); “Whose Live Anyway?” (Sept. 11); Russell Peters (Sept. 12); The Fixx, Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher (Sept. 17); Steely Dane (Sept. 18); Brit Floyd (Sept. 24-25); KC And The Sunshine Band (Sept. 26); Chelsea Handler (Oct. 8); World Ballet Company: “Swan Lake” (Oct. 9); Alton Brown (Oct. 17); Jeff Dunham (Oct. 22); Jefferson Starship (Oct. 24); Styx (Nov. 5); LeAnn Rimes (Nov. 6); Alice Cooper (Nov. 8); Shaun Cassidy (Nov. 13); Patti LaBelle (Nov. 14); Sara Evans (Nov. 19); Black Violin (Nov. 20); Mannheim Steamroller (Dec. 5) and Dancenter North: “The Magic Of The Nutcracker” (Dec. 17-18). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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