Sarah Shook and the Disarmers

fter absorbing some old-school country thanks to a boyfriend who had good musical taste, Sarah Shook and the Devil, singer Sarah Shook’s first band, came together in 2010. Shook then recruited Phil Sullivan to play lap steel with her. Next, she asked Eric Peterson, a terrific local player, to sit in on electric guitar for a few gigs. He wound up joining the band too. At that point, the group morphed into the Disarmers. And if it weren’t for Peterson, the band might still be playing small bars and clubs near its North Carolina home. But Peterson insisted the group make an album. The group released Sidelong in 2015 and followed it up with Years in 2018. Songs such as "New Ways to Fail" and "The Bottle Never Lets Me Down," both of which can be found on Years, put Shook's hiccuping vocals up front in the mix and possess a cowpunk punch thanks to Peterson's gritty guitar work. The group’s first two records provide an incredible outlet of emotion for Shook, a visceral singer who has a singular presence. Lizzie No opens tonight's show; the concert starts at 8 at the Beachland Ballroom. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $17 day of show.