Regal Degal at Black Cat
Regal Degal are one of those electronic fusion bands. Imagine a disco version of Talking Heads, or a techno band (perhaps Javelin?) giving dream-pop a try. Think of an electronic rhythm underlying a pop (or occasionally rock) song. Regal Degal are like that, though once in a while they just go straight-up electronic (e.g. the song Mac The Halls). At least on their recordings that is what they sound like.
If you're wondering how a guitar-bass-drum trio pull that off live, the answer is that they kinda don't. Live they sound closer to a rock band. Perhaps it is just the particular songs they chose to play but their live music was heavier than their recorded output while at least on occasion retaining those danceable beats. Tricky, but they puled it off.
Posted: 7/30/2014 at 4:00pm Tags: Black Cat Regal Degal
Wanted Man at Rock N Roll Hotel
I don't know whether Wanted Man were named after the Johnny Cash song (or even the Frankie Laine song) but it seems like there might be an outside chance. Wanted Man have a real old-school rock sound which draws heavily on blues and country music. More than anything else, though, they play take-no-shit outlaw music. Real mean, real aggressive... hell even their ballads are pretty aggressive. They remind me of the Chrome Cranks, though Wanted Man stay quite a bit closer to their musical roots.
They have some old recordings floating around but I definitely recommend checking out their recent live recording from DC9. That recording captures their impressive live energy. It's fairly obvious why someone decided to pair them with Reignwolf.
Posted: 7/27/2014 at 4:00pm Tags: Rock N Roll Hotel Wanted Man
Radkey at DC9
Damn. Once in a while some band I haven't heard of comes along and blows me away. Radkey are totally intense, both musically and in their stage presence, and they're barely 21 (in fact I think a couple of 'em are underage). I can not even imagine how crazy good they'll be when they've been doing this for a decade or so.
Tweens at Black Cat
In case it is not immediately obvious from looking at the photos, it was hot that day! The temperature may have hit 100 degrees outside and I'm guessing it was at least that hot on stage under all those lights. So here are my photos of Tweens melting (or at least their hair product).
Posted: 6/30/2014 at 9:00am Tags: Backstage Black Cat Tweens
