Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Long before the famously feuding brothers of Oasis got back together, The Black Crowes’ singer Chris Robinson and sibling/guitarist Rich buried the hatchet for just as unlikely of a reconciliation.

At first, it was for the 30th anniversary of their quintuple platinum “Shake Your Money Maker” debut, though it’s since turned into a full-scaled comeback, complete with the entirely new “Happiness Bastards” album after a 15-year break.

Needless to say, the Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana was especially glad to catch the co-founders, longtime bassist Sven Pipien, plus five other supporting players/singers, for not only staying together beyond a single season, but getting a much closer opportunity to see them than the last run’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre and Ravinia stops.

Indeed, it was yet another feather in the casino’s cap, who for 95 minutes, were treated to all the main southern, blues and rootsy rockers that put The Black Crowes on the map through today.

After leading with the stomping streak of “No Speak No Slave,” “Sting Me” and “Thick N’ Thin,” the fellas confidently dove into the current collection’s “Flesh Wound” and “Cross Your Fingers,” which could easily match the older material.

Other recent or retro moments included “Bleed It Dry,” “Wanting And Waiting,” “Sister Luck” and “Thorn In My Pride,” in addition to covers of The Rolling Stones’ “You Got The Silver” and the band’s now textbook interpretation of Otis Redding’s “Hard To Handle.”

The Black Crowes slowed it down for the soulful ballad “She Talks To Angels,” then went balls to the wall for jams through “Jealous Again” and “Remedy,” making sure it was exactly what the doctor order.

Chicago’s own openers The Effigies took a decidedly different punk direction, yet fit right in with the headliners’ rebellious attitude, premiering fist pumpers off the brand new “Burned” and retracing its steps towards shaping the entire scene in the early 1980s.

It was certainly bittersweet considering singer John Kezdy was suddenly killed in a bike accident during the latest sessions, though co-founders Paul Zamost (bass) and drummer Steve Economou (drums), joined by album producer Andy Gerber on guitar and Geoff Sabin on vocals, demonstrated tenacity throughout the super-charged tribute.

For additional information on The Black Crowes and The Effigies, visit TheBlackCrowes.com and Effigies.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Jagged Edge (Oct. 19); Theory Of A Deadman (Oct. 26); Brett Young (Nov. 2); Bachman-Turner Overdrive (Nov. 8); ZZ Top (Nov. 15); Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (Nov. 21); Aaron Lewis (Nov. 22-23); In This Moment (Nov. 27); Rakim, Doug E. Fresh, & Slick Rick (Nov. 29); Bret Michaels (Nov. 30); Northwest Indiana Symphony (Dec. 5); Joe (Dec. 7); “A Not So Silent Night” (Dec. 28); Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular (Jan. 11); Rickey Smiley And Friends (Jan. 24) and Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Feb. 1). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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