Forget everything you know about tribute bands. Real Young and Lazy Horse aren't just playing Neil Young hits—they're channelling the Canadian legend's ornery, obsessive rock & roll spirit in ways that leave audiences wrecked.
The Brooklyn DIY crew performed nearly four hours of Young's catalogue at a recent East River garden gig, including a 40-minute rendition of "Like a Hurricane." The crowd didn't budge. Not one person walked out.
What makes this crew different? They don't see themselves as a cover band at all. "We're more of a book club," drummer Ralph/Yoni David says. Guitarist Adam "Neil" Reich adds, "Or it's like a never-ending game of D&D, where it's just like, 'Now, we're at Re-ac-tor.'" They adopt the names of Crazy Horse members onstage: Neil (Reich), Poncho (Jones), Billy (Aquilino), and Ralph (David).
The setlist spans classics like "Cinnamon Girl" and "Ohio" alongside deep cuts like "Southern Pacific," "Lookout Joe," and "Yonder Stands the Sinner." Reich went full energy at the table, jamming through a 10-minute "Southern Man" solo while hopping on tables and racing through the crowd.
A pizza guy abandoned his shop to air-drum through "Helpless" in his apron. Toddlers, indie kids, stoner grandmas, and die-hard Rusties (what Neil fanatics are called) all danced together for hours straight.
These guys are Brooklyn legends in the DIY punk scene. When you play with absolute conviction and genuine love for the music, people will follow you anywhere. Four hours felt short. "Barstool Blues" sent everyone home in a daze, exactly as intended.
