Black Pussy, the Freeks, FreeLSDBadTrip, Sonolith at Backstage Bar and Billiards, Thursday July 27, 2017

I've missed most of Brian Moy's (Dirty Rock'n'Roll Dance Party) "heavy" shows, but when he got LA's The Freeks, featuring my old pal (and guitar god) Jonathan Hall, I had to make it out!

Opening the night was Sonolith, a self-described "Las Vegas Stoner Doom Band", which sounds about right. Heavy, Sabbath-y, three-piece hard rock - no-nonsense, down-tuned stomp. Cool'n'fittin' start to the night!

Also from Vegas, the six piece combo, Free LSD Bad Trip, is a super-psychedelic, acid-drenched band of long-haired misfits who live up to their name as they look'n'sound as if they are trippin' their brains out. Effect-laden jams dominate but there are songs there with cool dynamics and mind-bending instrumental prowess. Two guitars, bass, drums, keys and percussion fills out the aural expeditions ala Pink Floyd, whose "Lucifer Sam" they freely steal from and turn into one of their own. Reminded me of the 80's Yellow Sunshine Explosion and made me want to take drugs again! (Also dug the suitcase/effects board!)

(Promoter Brian Moy)

Led by ex-FuManchu/Nebula guitar-man, Ruben Romano, the Freeks now include previously-mention buddy Jonathan Hall (Backbiter, Motorcycle Black Madonnas, and many more) on guitar and vocals, Clawhammer/Crawlspace's (among even more) drummer Bob Lee, keyboardist Esteban Chavez and a new bassist whose name I've naturally forgotten (cuz I'm a terrible person). With this kind of line-up I expected high-energy psych/garage rock and I was certainly not disappointed! Ruben and Jonathan both sing lead (and harmonize) and wail on their dual Guild guitars while the rest power the backing with amazing skill. Plenty of dual lead guitars, hip effects, psychedelic slide, electric piano, synth, drivin', flowin' bass lines and rollin'n'rumblin' drums. Real songs, an incredible punch of energy and a great show. These cats knocked me out and I hope to see them again soon! Catch them on one of their many tours or local LA shows!

Portland's Black Pussy has one of the odder visual schticks I've seen on a heavy band - they dress in bad polyester/old man golfer clothes to offset their extreme long hair and beard - a weird, definitely un-hip take on the 70's, whose heavy rock they are mining. Another two guitar, bass, drums, keys set-up with cool git-licks and neat, old-school synth riffs augmenting their 70's sound. For extra visual appeal, they also had dancer Chelsea La Vone stirrin' up things. Some psych influences here'n'there among the heaviness, and more vocal harmonies, as well. The crowd was a bit sparse on this Thursday night in Vegas, but plenty of people showed up for the Pussy!

Once again, thank you to Brian Moy and the Dirty Rock'n'Roll Dance Party for bringing cool music to Vegas!