In February, California Americana band Devil Makes Three released Spirits, the band’s eighth studio album, via New West Records. They are on tour to promote it, and they recently performed at 9:30 Club with openers Bridge City Sinners!
Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.
The following article is adapted from a press release.
The Devil Makes Three has always thrived in the spaces between genres, where the grit of folk, the soul of blues, and the rebellious spirit of punk collide. Their music doesn’t just follow the American storytelling tradition — it redefines it. Whether evoking the deep melancholy of Delta blues or the frenetic energy of punk, their sound is raw, powerful, and unmistakably their own.
For over two decades, this genre-defying trio has carved out a place in the American roots scene, delivering high-energy performances that leave audiences captivated and wanting more. The Devil Makes Three released seven studio albums and three live recordings, with their latest, Spirits, marking a return to their stripped-down roots. In a sold-out show at 9:30 Club on May 11, The Devil Makes Three dedicated more than a third of the show to their new album.
“That’s what we set out to do. We wanted to use these musical forms to talk about current issues,” said Pete Bernhard. “We didn’t want to just sing about trains and mining and drinking. For myself, it didn’t seem relevant. Folk music should be about what’s happening now, just as it was when Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan did it. Our music is not just a re-enactment of something old and dusty.”
The song titles alone describe the band’s return to a stripped-down, drum-less sound and songs that reflect the ongoing struggle to survive amid the uncertainties of the current volatile climate: “Dark Gets the Best of You,” “Divide and Conquer,” “Ghost are Weak,” “Hard Times,” “I Love Doing Drugs,” “Poison Well.” and “The Devil Wins.” The tracks were recorded at Dreamland, part of a converted church compound outside Woodstock in upstate New York which offered some haunted moments of its own, with plenty of spooky thunderstorms and lightning.
“There’s definitely a theme of ghosts and death running through this album,” acknowledged Bernhard, who lost his mother, brother and closest childhood friend while making the record. “It also has a good amount of political material, a reflection on how divided people are these days, just trying to find common ground. Not being able to perform our music live led to some deep reflections.”
Watch The Devil Makes Three perform “I Love Doing Drugs” live on YouTube:
The Devil Makes Three have a very loyal, dedicated and diverse fan base that wouldn’t necessarily spend much time together. With Spirits the band hope to continue to bring together all sides to listen to the band’s take on personal hardships as well as shared struggles.
Catch The Devil Makes Three on tour!
Bridge City Sinners opened the show! Keep scrolling for photos of them.
Here are some photos of The Devil Makes Three performing live at 9:30 Club on May 11, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Bridge City Sinners opening The Devil Makes Three live at 9:30 Club on May 11, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Meet one of the Bridge City Sinners’ youngest fans! A family was along the barricade for Bridge City Sinners, and the violinist gave this young fan a bow. The pages in her hand are a story she wrote about going to the show, and Libby Lux signed it with a note.
