Sac town country-rocker Stephan Hogan packs Moonshine Flats

After learning the words to the songs on the EP I picked up when Stephan Hogan and his band played San Diego in February, I was eager to attend their return to town at downtown country bar Moonshine Flats on April 15.

Just before the band took the stage, anticipation was ignited by a prerecorded track (produced by Hogan), which had the sound and feel of something one usually hears at arenas or stadiums when big-time acts perform — maybe an indication of things to come for this country-rock band from the Sacramento area.

There was barely room to two-step on the crowded dance floor during the two-hour high-energy set, which included covers of top 40 bro-country radio hits and original songs from Hogan’s new EP.

Bass guitarist Danny Fultz sang lead vocals on a couple songs, including Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You.” The band’s version of “Real Good Man” by Tim McGraw (who was Hogan’s inspiration for getting into country music) sounded even better than the original, with an instrumental jam that made me want to go home and break out my teenage son’s Guitar Hero video game.

Hogan debuted his new single “Ballin’ on a Budget,” an up-tempo feel-good song about being broke that drops to country radio nationwide on April 18.

• Concert: Stephan Hogan
• Date: April 15
• Seats: GA, front balcony
• Venue: Moonshine Flats