As we’ve learned over dozens of conversations here on The Resistance, there’s a general direction associated with it on the part of the artist—away from it. It makes sense: who among us wakes up with a burning desire to face down our fears, confront our anxieties, or feel our most vulnerable?

There’s a reason the phrase “the path of least resistance” exists.

But that’s not true of all of us, and as it turns out, that’s part of what has made the band Lucero such a compelling quintet for so long—at least in part.

Before our conversation with Lucero front man Ben Nichols, there was no way to know that he was the kind of person so willing to confront his resistance—and in turn, the band as well. All we knew was that we loved their acclaimed, distinct brand of Memphis rock and roll—a soulful, Southern indie rock sound that has stretched and morphed over 12 albums and 25-ish years. 

Perhaps NPR described them best when they said Lucero is the rare kind of band with enough spirit to fill an arena, but with its heart planted firmly in the garage

A hundred things can go wrong for a group of guys committed to piling into a van together for hundreds of dates every year for a quarter century, but Lucero is one of the few who’ve found longevity. And what we didn’t realize until speaking with Ben is that beyond the talent and chemistry, Lucero’s healthy relationship with their own resistance is such a big part of the their sustained success.

On this episode of The Resistance, Ben Nichols talks about the band’s desire for boot camp experiences in the studio and the different ways that resistance takes shape now compared to Lucero’s early days.

VISIT: Lucero

*Photo: Jamie Harmon