The Willowz
Its not often I show up at a show after driving 5 hours to get there and buy all 4 bands cds especially on a shoestring budjet. But, Friday night at Spaceland it was worth the drive. My adventure began as a last minute trek after reading about The Willowz in Rolling Stone. Seeing they were leaving for a 2 month tour of the US, I felt an urgent need to see what they were all about and dashed out the door. I met the band while they were loading in, bought the cd and got them to sign a poster. My custom as I am an avid collector. Convention would have had me at the Eisley show tonight at the Troubadour but it being last minute and the show sold out I did not want to impose. I have shot them perhaps 25 times or more since the fall of 2002 having lived in the Dallas area and will see them in July. Tonight I was meant to be at the Willowz show.
I watched the sound check which gave little hint as to what was to come. I had not even heard the new cd Talk In Circles When their show began I was immediately captured by the rock and roll sound they had. Jessica Reynoza, the bands bassist and vocal backup cut loose from the composure exhibited at sound check and was all over the place. Lead vocalist and guitarist Richie James Follin belted out a unique high end voice that has echoes of Robert Plant. Guitarist Dan Lowe showed influences from 70’s bands. At sound check he played a few riffs from the B52’S and what sounded like Cissy Strut from the Meters. He admitted they were listening to the Meters on the way over. For a band whose members are mostly under 21 thats quite impressive. They have done there research. The show had some exciting moments. This band is meant to play fast and furious like the Stooges and Ramones, which brings up the only deficit at this point. Song selection. When you are rocking out dont stop the show to change instruments and then do a slow number. It stopped the momentum dead in its tracks.
I now have to talk about the new record to properly review this band and let you know after listening to it several times on the long ride home that they may be bound for bigger things. The record has 20 songs and by its end I had written down 14 of them as a dream set list. They do these songs and it could be a great rock show. I heard everything from Zepplin to Aerosmith, B52’s, Stooges, White Stripes and even Kings of Leon if you need influences for comparison. Yet, plenty of uniqueness. Lyrically sound and poetic at times my favorite: Tears they blind me….the sound is breaking all around……you dont seem very proud/ heartstrings, they dont seem very loud. The strongest songs on this cd are too numerous to list. It starts off kicking ass on Ulcer Soul and continues to do so with few exceptions. The above mentioned Heartstrings could be the classic cult favorite.
Mark my word you better get out and see them and get the record. Great artwork and photos. Vinyl versions, also. When they figure out how to translate the music they write into a great live show look out! The label they are on: Sympathy for the Record Industry is very prophetic. The record industry biggies will need sympathy for not signing this band. The French are already on to this band as their music provides the background for a Renault commercial and the band has worked with French film maker/producers Michel and Olivier Gondry.
Shoot Out the Lights
A big surprise was Shoot Out the Lights. Lead vocalist Adrienne Pearson can only be described as hot She left her whips and chains at home but brought everything else fronting the band with 150% performance. Slithering and undulating all over the stage the show “climaxed” when she fell to the stage floor exhausted and sweaty for what seemed like two or more minutes. Courtney Love, PJ Harvey and Gwen Stefani come to mind. Guitarist Ross Horwitz, obviously a big Cure fan, provided Pearson with electric responses to her charged overtures. The bands self titled ep has some strong songs as well.
My Sexual Dad
Opening the show was My Sexual Dad. A killer drummer had much of my attention. Frontman Evan was intense. The cd is experimental with 80’s influences. Vocals at times are reminiscent of Jason Molina of Songs Ohia/Magnolia Electric Company fame. The band had a limited edition ep called Shark all hand made artwork only 20 or so copies made.
Scarling
Scarling was perhaps the most polished live act of the night. Having had some bigtime exposure on the Curiosa Festival tour. Lead singer Jessika kept the momentum going and communicated well with a strong fan base at one point showing what she can do with a drumstick before tossing it out as a party favor. The ep, also put out by Sympathy, exhibits what a great vocalist she is.
Kate Earl
Perhaps I am saving the best for last. While in town I caught Kate Earl for an in store performance at Club Monaco. If you don’t know of Kate Earl let me say flatly she could be the next Nora Jones. Nora has the pipes and Kate does as well. But Kate writes her own songs and Kate writes great songs! Perhaps as good as any songstress out there. Her new cd “Fate is the Hunter” on Record Collection is classic. There is something for everybody. Ballads, R&B, pop, adult contemporary maybe a little jazz. Comparisons range from Fiona Apple, Jewell, Nora and I even hear a little moment of Karen Carpenter. When was the last time you heard somebody worthy of that comparison. One song “Officer” is a radio hit waiting to happen. Like something Sheryl Crow would do. Don’t take it for granted. Get the cd and see her before she takes off. There are some gems on this record. Kate heads to Europe for some solo dates as well as opening spots for Damien Rice.
