Gary Lucas with Gods and Monsters

Gramercy Theatre; Thu 11

Think you haven’t heard perpetually hatted guitarist Gary Lucas? Think again. His raucous string bending marks Captain Beefheart’s final two albums, while more nuanced work adorns Jeff Buckley’s Grace (whose title song Lucas cowrote) and Joan Osborne’s Grammy-nominated “Spider Web” (which he also helped to pen). You can also get an earful of Lucas on albums by Gov’t Mule, Chris Cornell, the Future Sound of London and Graham Parker.

Lately, Lucas has become involved in a number of collaborative projects: Killer Shrews with Jon Langford of Mekons; the Du-Tels with Holy Modal Rounder Peter Stampfel; gospel-blues outfit Chase the Devil; and techno-dance crew Wild Rumpus. And that’s not even mentioning his ventures into Jewish religious music and film scores. But Lucas’s longest-running vehicle is Gods and Monsters, an inspired ensemble that generates soulful, bluesy grooves, buoyed by Lucas’s intricate playing and sly vocals. The membership has included Buckley, Matthew Sweet and Richard Barone.

The star-filled group has three albums under its collective belt: 1992’s self-titled debut, ’94’s Bad Boys of the Arctic and 2006’s Coming Clean. Expect a new one later this year, with takes on inspiring live staples “Chime On” and “Climb the Highest Mountain.” For this 20th-anniversary blowout show, the core lineup—Lucas, bassist Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers), drummer Billy Ficca (Television), and horn players Jason Candler and Joe Hendel—will be joined by Stampfel, iconic guitarist Lenny Kaye, Suicide’s Alan Vega and blues-rock wild man Jon Spencer.—Jason Gross

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