In case you missed the Pulse concert series performance at 527 Main Street on Nov. 21, let me just say you missed a stellar, rock-solid show that showcased some of the freshest local musicians.
The Last Straw, Fuel to the Fire and Mike Anderson and The Deputies packed the house for an unbelievable night of pure and genuine music, turning out one great song after the next and proving the local music scene is not a letdown.
The Last Straw opened the show with their always effervescent energy, hard-hitting rock ’n’ roll and catchy tunes that are conducive to the large crowd they draw to every show.
The Straw certainly gave its all for its last show of the year. Ending the performance with the ever-popular “Rock ’n’ Roll Queen” and playing cover song “Helter Skelter” with Aaron Raitiere were just a few highlights from a band that clearly has direction, finding their niche as musicians with a surefire mission to rock the socks off of anyone in earshot.
“It was a refreshing change of pace to open a show for two other dominating local acts,” said lead singer Kyle Daniel.
These local guys have some phenomenal talent and are destined to become a larger-than-life act in the near future.
The Last Straw recently recorded its self-titled debut album at Germantown Studios in Nashville, tentatively scheduled for release on Jan. 23, 2009. The album was tracked in only five days in order to capture the essence of the soulful, vigorous live performances the band is known for. Plans are still in the works for a CD release party and show, according to guitarist Quincey Meeks.
Next, Fuel to the Fire performed, setting the stage ablaze with what vocalist Jon Grisham calls “good old rock ’n’ roll.”
This Nashville-based trio is captivating with its hard-to-describe genre, seeming to fuse rock and blues, tinged with jam band influence.
Even more impressive is the fact that members Grisham and Taylor Jones are only 19, and Bruno Jones a mere 17. I was shocked to find out how young the members are after seeing them perform, which is a true testament of the tight, mature sound of the band.
“People Can You Feel It” was one song that stood out as an attention grabber and a well-crafted original song. The song in many ways exudes what this band is all about: aggressive instrumentals mixed with smooth vocals mixed with an unexplainable “wow” factor these guys possess.
Hopefully, Fuel to the Fire plans to play more shows in the area in the upcoming year.
Mike Anderson and The Deputies closed the show and did not disappoint.
Anderson has a voice that radiates the kind of soul most musicians strive to achieve and come up short next to this guy.
The performance was energetic, upbeat and seriously entertaining. With the Stevie Wonder cover “Heaven Help Us All” and “Bone Dry,” the band had everyone dancing and singing right along. Again, this band’s sound is hard to specify, as even Anderson himself says it’s “alternative rock, folk soul, rock soul and contemporary. No one else has the same sound, we simply do our own thing.”
Perhaps this matchless sound is what makes this band so intriguing. The band also covered Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel,” which was probably the coolest, most sultry Jackson cover I’ve ever heard. Anderson tells me that was the first time the band has played that song live. Stellar.
Anderson also mentions that his CD, Closing Credits for a Fire, should be out by the end of January.
Look for these bands’ upcoming CDs, undoubtedly check them out live if you get the chance and find more info about all of the artists on myspace.com.
