THE BELLRAYS with LEVIRIDE, the MIDWAYS and SHIKASTA at the Horseshoe, March 22. Tickets: $10. Attendance: 300. Rating: NNNN Rating: NNNN
It’s hard not to feel frivolous about going to see a rock show when Big Brother is bombing the shit out of civilians on the other side of the world, but every so often you have an experience that makes you believe in the power of a rock ‘n’ roll revolution. I’m a believer. Blessed be the BellRays for showing me the way.With her massive afro-poof and colossal resonant howl, sexy soul-kitten Lisa Kekaula led the garagey Los Angeles soul-rockers through an astounding spiritual revival Saturday night at the Horseshoe.
With hubby Bob Vennum’s funked-up bass lines holding down the low end under searing riffs, Kekaula was the star of the show. Shakin’ a tambourine like a cooler Betty Cooper and flailing her arms, she made like a girl version of James Brown and sent the raucous older crowd into a dancing, screaming, hand-waving frenzy.
The BellRays fed off the energy of capable openers. The nattily dressed Midways offered up an organ-charged mod revival moment that was highly entertaining, although more variety would’ve strengthened their set.
Local power trio Shikasta followed up by wowing fans with eardrum-perforating hard, raunchy rock and a lotta yowling.
Then the BellRays’ sonic spiritual healing spectacular rocketed the club into another dimension. I was particularly awed by the band’s ability to make a political statement without goin’ all didactic on our asses. Kekaula’s purred, perfectly inflected anti-war sentiments and peaceful prophecies made me feel like I was part of something much bigger and more important than merely just a concert. sarahliss@hotmail.com
