Its so refreshing to see the growth of a band over time. Hot Hot Heat’s performance at the Fillmore was leaps and bounds over thier performance at Stubbs in 2003 for SXSW. Lead singer Steve Bays has doned a Roger Daltry hair style that matches very well with the command of the audience he now displays. Of course it helps when you have had a chance to put out a new crowd pleasing record and spent two years honning your road show. The major label support has paid off with banners and lighting to add to the the rock theatrics. Bays’ movements borrow from Queen’s Freddy Mercury while bassist Dustin Hawthorne has acquired the Brit haircut and overcoat. Songs from the current release “Elevator” on Sire were well recieved from the audience. ” Running out of Time” is radio hit material as is “You Owe Me an IOU.” The fans sang along with approval to both songs. “Pickin’ It Up” is exactly what they do with a faster pace using classic rock riffs. At SXSW I didn’t see what the big deal was but I have changed my tune and think the new record and acquired stage presence is a winning formula. After concluding the west coast leg of the tour. Hot Hot Heat heads to Europe and Australia.
I saw World Leader Pretend at South By this year and although they were good it wasn’t one of the more memorable shows. I would have to say that a few short months later has made a big difference. With an added band member the other’s are freed up to do what they are capable of doing: “theatrical rock.” Lead singer Kieth Furgeson is all over the stage switching from keyboards to tambourine to guitar effortlessly and with out distraction. “Big Bang” is an excellent example of piano driven vocals. “New Voices” could be the radio hit of their initial release title “Punches” on the Warner Brothers label. The loud response from the Fillmore crowd seemed to take the band by surprise. Perhaps an indication of a bright future for these New Orleans lads. WLP will head back across the US hitting Texas, Oklahoma, New York, St Louis and ultimately hometown New Orleans for the Voodoo Music Experience Festival in Oct.
After just coming off their first headliner tour Eisley jumped on the HHH/WLP bandwagon and hasn’t stopped. I ask Boyd Dupree(father and road manager of the sibling band) to read the odometer on the van and he replied 126,000 miles. Two things were important about this show. It was at the legendary Fillmore and bass player Jon Wilson had recently announced this was his last tour with the band. He has been with the band since 1998. He has always been the most accomidating, a quiet but strong support to the others. I paid special attention to Jon’s playing and heard things I had not noticed before. Some ingenious improvisations that blended perfectly within the songs. I found at least four young girls up front who said they were here to see Eisley. The activity at the merch booth after the show was brisk. The Eislians begin a four city Yahoo/Saturn tour on August 16th culminating with an appearence August 22nd at the Troubadour with Richard Swift opening. They will play the Austin City Limits Festival in September and head back out with Switchfoot in October. Included are shows in Ventura, LA and San Diego. Jon Wilson’s replacement will be Garron Dupree 15 year old cousin to the siblings.
