Friday night in Hollywood at the House of Blues with 2 great bands, what else do you want? So there I am on the world famous Sunset Strip feeling like I am experiencing resurgence to the heydays when rock ruled and nothing else mattered. The anticipation for this show is unbelievable, and thick like pea soup. The crowd is here early and in full force to see some of LAs greatest talent. The House of Blues is at near capacity tonight and everyone is already up front and frothing at the mouth awaiting the start of the show. The lights go down, the screen goes up, and the mesmerizing Bourbons Saints take control of the stage.
As the Saints begin their set the crowd explodes on the floor into a frenzy, right away a tell tale sign that The Bourbon Saints are making a direct statement that they mean business. This band never fails to deliver the goods. They play old familiars like ‘Fire Breathin Preacher Man’ and ‘White Line Strut’ (they dedicate this number to Joe Mora and Amy Tung from HDR another great LA band) as well as new songs like the rock anthem ‘Black Heart Blues’, and the super catchy monster radio hit ‘Waiting For The Overdose’. The Saints are on fire tonight leaving no stone unturned with their performance tonight.
Arturo’s voice was in top form as he strutted across the stage with a cool swagger and an energy that reached all the way to the back. The dual guitar team of Chuck “The Wizard” Poquette, and Albert “ Frank Camaro” Winkler blew the roof off HOB tonight. These two are the new Murray and Smith the new Tipton and Downing. I don’t know any other guitar team that’s this aware of each other. Let’s not forget about the backbone of the Saints, Nole Eldrige on drums and Elvis Kennedy on the four string monster. Together these two are solid as concrete with their rhythms as well as providing outstanding backing vocals and harmonies.
The audience is transfixed on the Saints during their set like hypnotized zombies after only one thing… their rock fix. The amount of people singing along to The Saints is downright breathtaking, these guys know how to write a hook and it shows. It’s fun to watch the fans go crazy for their favorite songs. It’s also great to see so many of LAs top bands in attendance (Evil Beaver, HDR, Jessie Deluxe, Suckerstar, Kill Detail) tonight. I for one am pleased with the way this scene is developing, kudos to the bands that are turning the sunset strip back into a rock-n-roll haven.
The Bourbon Saints have to be one of the top audience attentive bands out there. During the set they repeatedly thanked the fans, the other bands, the HOB, as well as threw out Bourbon Saints swag. On the last song of the set the Saints brought up Lightnin Bill Woodcock (Miss Deringer, Lightnin Woodcock Trio , and former member of The Bourbon Saints) to the stage to play harmonica with them on ‘Knifes Out’ a fan favorite. After their set the fans didn’t want them to stop. All of them chanting, “one more song”, “one more song”. All in all one top notch performance by one top notch bunch of guys.
Playing in the second and third spot of the night was Oh No Stereo and Sid Brown.
Headlining the night was the incredible YEAR LONG DISASTER! Peeps listen up and show some respect for this band. YLD has been on the scene a few short years but have gained an amazing amount of credit that’s stems from non-stop touring as well as putting on one hell of rock show. Having already toured with the likes of Turbonegro, Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver and getting ready to do dates with Clutch, Avenged Sevenfold, plus a main supporting slot with Motorhead these guys don’t mess around.
YLD took the stage like a freight train coming down the lines. Heavy huge guitars, fuzz bass and drums like cannons these guys are the hard rock heroes we need.
Guitarist Daniel Davies is so the man when he is on stage. His presence is second to none and tonight is no difference. Making the stage his domain to play in, Daniel worked every inch of it. A true performer one can tell his inner soul is on his sleeve while he entertains the crowd. He plays his guitar like the world depends on it. Each note is of the utmost importance to man kinds future and the future of rock-n-roll. His voice reminds me of 70s rock legends like Phil Mogg and Ian Gillan. Having the right amount of grit and smoothness to his singing you can hear the sincerity cut through like a razor blade.
Richie Mullins YLDs bassist is the rock of Gibralter. This guy lays down bass lines so heavy and so solid it made the foundation at the House Of Blues shake. Adding drummer Brad Hargreaves into the mix with his assaulting skin pounding and you have one of the best bands in hard rock music today. An unstoppable force of groove laden heavy rock that pummels the senses and makes you beg for more. You can expect great things from Year Long Disaster and The Bourbon Saints. I feel sorry for those who missed this show. Truly one for the books! Look here check these bands out!!!!!
