Train and Uncle Kracker bring hunger to show

It hasn't been cool to be in Train or Uncle Kracker for a while.

At the start of their careers, Uncle Kracker was the D.J. for Kid Rock and a rapper. San Francisco-based rock band Train had a soulful, loose vibe that differentiated it from the rap-metal boom that until then had ruled the charts. Then both acts began writing soft pop-rock songs that made your mother swoon and their rock credibility suffer.

But Thursday at The Depot, opening act Uncle Kracker and headliner Train showed that they haven't lost their swagger. Even better, they showed that they are still hungry for the type of rock 'n' roll that their recent too-slick records have ignored.

Train released its latest record just two days ago, but many

of the audience in the well-attended venue knew all of the words to "Save Me, San Francisco," an album that lead singer Pat Monahan said before the show was a return to the band's roots.

Train, which is now a trio, was backed by two capable touring members, including bassist Hector Maldonado, of Salt Lake City, and played a robust 100-minute, 20-song set despite Monahan battling an illness. He apologized several times throughout the show for his strained voice. Despite his tenor becoming more and more ragged as the show went on, it added a vulnerability and humanity to his lyrics that worked well. He still showed off his flexible pipes that were in stark contrast to Uncle Kracker's one-octave, sometimes off-key delivery.

Monahan didn't let his illness slow down his ballet-inspired dance moves during the up-tempo set, and interacted frequently with the crowd. At one point, he pulled four women from the audience and dubbed them "Trainettes" as they sang back-up. Later, during a ballad in the encore, he invited three women -- and one man -- to slow-dance with him as he sang. (Let's hope he used Purell early and often.)

Train, invigorated by the licks and leads of lead guitarist Jimmy Stafford, brought an organic feel to songs such as "Calling All Angels" and "Drops of Jupiter" that sharpened the searching lyrics and brought a passionate edge to them.

The biggest surprise of the night was the amiable and crowd-pleasing Uncle Kracker, who played a nine-song set that brought a party atmosphere to the night. Despite drinking imported German beer throughout the set, Uncle Kracker has made the smooth transition to laid-back, all-American Southern rock that is more Kenny Chesney than the Allman Brothers. He isn't a strong singer, but he knew his limitations.

Backed by a tight five-piece band, Kracker changed up some of his most popular songs, such as transforming "Drift Away" into a romp, and inserting some AC/DC lyrics into "Follow Me." His drawback was that he didn't show much stage presence, hovering on top of the microphone while singing, but the crowd didn't mind as he pulled out a song he penned with best friend Kid Rock (with more than a little help from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Warren Zevon), "All Summer Long."