LIVE REVIEWS
Blackmail
Simon’s After Dark Allen Park, MI
Material: Blackmail’s self-described “ghetto rock” is an amalgam of classic rock, metal, soul, rap and blues. The set list consists primarily of songs taken from their indie release Hard Groove. On the heels of a guitar-driven “Peter Gunn” theme they erupt into the rhythmically dense and riffladen “Running from the Sun.” “Circles” is another number that deftly blends smooth pop vocals with clever and catchy rap hooks. “Govt. Mule” is a relentless groove rocker that invokes thought and a socially conscious attitude. Influences filter in from a variety of sources including melodically heavy guitar a la Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix, the song craft of Lenny Kravitz and the modern poetic jams of Ben Harper. Musicianship: With a tight four-piece unit like this it is essential that each member brings something to the table in terms of commitment and individuality. That is exactly what the audience finds here. Mayaasa is a singer who knows no bounds when it comes to delivering emotional content and balancing it with the proper delivery. He brings physicality to his vocals which possess the timeless sensibility of Jackie Wilson and the urgency of Chuck D. Brooks is his right hand man, wielding a Les Paul with just the right amount of rock star flash, economy and panache. Bassist El Shabazz brandishes a mighty sound that is
Eric Harabadian
Contact: Mike Brooks, 313-258-4665 Web: http://reverbnation.com/blackmailtheband1 The Players: Kalonji Hakeem Mayaasa, lead vocals, hand percussion; Mike Brooks, guitar, backup vocals; Akmed “Bygg” El Shabazz, bass; Doug Austin, drums. Username: blackmail
Blackmail: Self-described "ghetto rock" that keeps you guessing what will happen next. solid, with a technique that employs a seamless command of thumb popping and rolling pedal tones. Austin follows suit by locking in naturally with El Shabazz but also playing light, enabling the music to percolate and breathe. Performance: If ever there was a person that earned the title “frontman” it would be Mayaasa. Dressed in a bright red head scarf and what appeared to be an African dashiki with beads, the singer cut quite an impressive and colorful figure. He dove into the opening song “Running from the Sun,” with a passion and intensity that brought the previously sedate crowd to its feet. Guitarist Brooks voraciously provided ample vocal backups as well as several well-placed solos throughout the night. At the halfway mark in their set, and during one of those compelling
guitar breaks, Mayaasa wanted to emphasize his reentry into a verse and, as he leapt back onto the stage from the dance floor, spun a bar chair like a top. El Shabazz and Austin seemed unfazed by this as they dug their rhythmic heels in and sent their own seismic spin throughout the venue. Summary: Blackmail have a raw kind of energy that is exciting. Their music literally keeps you on the edge of your seat—you don’t know what’s going to happen next. But the songs are tightly bound with memorable hooks and straightahead pacing. They are unpretentious and dedicated ambassadors of the Motor City, exuding world class excellence and an approachable charm and accessibility. ——Eric A. Harabadian
Red Again
Westwood Brewing Company Los Angeles, CA Contact: urigel@yahoo.com Web: http://facebook.com/redagainrocks The Players: Dayve Chaves, lead vocals; Uri Gelman, guitar; Cat Tate, bass, backup vocals; Roger Johnson, drums. Username: urigel
Musicianship: Taking center stage for Red Again is their dynamic lead singer, Dayve Chaves. While his strong vocal chops are impressive, it’s his ability to engage the crowd that really stands out. Whether encouraging fans to sing along or dancing in the audience, Chaves displays the kind of charisma rarely found in small club shows. Equally as magnetic is guitarist Uri Gelman, his soaring solos and flowing hair conjuring up images of a young Slash. Cat Tate and Roger Johnson round out the quartet. While both do respectable jobs keeping the rhythm section going, they tend to fall back in the shadows as Chaves and Gelman own the stage. Performance: Red Again set the tone quickly, starting their set with the high-octance rocker
COREY IRWIN
Material: Grunge lives and Red Again prove it. Armed with a bevy of hard-hitting rock, like the fist-pump inducing “Coventry,” and the dark, brooding song “Salvation,” the band sound like a jam session between Alice In Chains and Chevelle. While the wailing guitars scream active rock radio, there’s potential here for alternative crossover as well. Red Again: Proving grunge still has a place in live music. “Time And Place.” Other standout tracks included “Disorder,” reminiscent of Core era Stone Temple Pilots, and the soaring, heartfelt “Riot In My Head.” A couple of originals got lost in the sound, as “The Right Way” and “Raised In Hell” fell flat when compared to their counterparts. Perhaps the best surprises came via the covers Red Again mixed into their set. In most cases, a grunge style band covering Pearl Jam would come across as nothing more than glorified karaoke. This was not the case, as Red Again knocked out an impressive version of “Even Flow” that would’ve had Eddie Vedder himself cheering. A head-banging cover of Al Green’s “Take Me To The River” proved to be
an unexpected highlight, while their final song, a cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” had the crowd on their feet. Summary: Although the sound is raw at times, the talent within this band is undeniable. “Riot In My Head” will be featured in the movie Wedding Bells and Shotgun Shells, appearing at the Sundance Film Festival. With a little more focus toward improving their weaker songs, Red Again will find more placement opportunities, enabling the band to step up to the next level. ——Corey Irwin
January 2013
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