Last night's lineup at Maui Sugar Mill Saloon included only one band I was already familiar with, that being The Raz Band, whose 2015 album Madison Park I had reviewed. The others were new to me, and one of them - Low Era - was new to basically everybody, as that band hasn't yet released any albums or EPs or even singles. But what a treat to get turned onto some new music. I was especially taken by Dedzmuzik, with its fantastic grooves.
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| The Raz Band |
The Raz Band kicked off the night just after eight o' clock, opening the show with "Coming At You," a wonderful, energetic rock song with a great beat. The band performed as a trio, guitarist and vocalist Joey Molland (whom you certainly know from Badfinger) having died last year. Jim Manzo asked the folks in the audience if they were happy, leading into the song "Happy," which was written by Joey Molland. Jim sang lead on it and delivered a good bass line. "
I could be happy somewhere." This song mentions an "
hour of darkness," something I think we're all experiencing these days. Music will light the path out of it. Michael Raz Rescigno mentioned that Joey had sung lead on the next song, joking that he needs to be careful to do a good job so as not to upset Joey's ghost. That song was "Breadline Love," which featured a really good lead on guitar, with a classic rock and roll flavor.
Jim mentioned that the band has a new album out, titled
Copy This, before launching into a rocking rendition of The Turtles' "She'd Rather Be With Me," featuring drummer Jeff Hutchinson on lead vocals. They ended the song, then playfully continued it. That was followed by a cover of "Spirit In The Sky," Michael's sister joining the band on backing vocals. This song is also on the new album, and was the first single released from it. Michael's sister, by the way, was sporting a T-shirt that read, "The Raz Band Rocks!" After that song, Moses approached the stage to get the band's drink orders, as someone in the crowd wished to buy a round for them, which was cool. Even cooler was the next song, "The Boy," the first Raz Band song, which featured some really good drumming and a strong bass line. The song had the kind of sound that makes you feel the world is all right. You know? Certainly we need these songs now. That was followed by "Naked On The Floor," which had a powerful beat. The band wrapped things up with a couple of fun covers - Badfinger's, "No Matter What" and Tommy Roe's "Dizzy." A forty minute set that flew by. I hope I can see them do a longer set next time.
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| Dedzmuzik |
Dedzmuzik was up next, this band also a trio. They began with an instrumental introduction that had a cool, psychedelic vibe, setting a mood, taking us to some different territory. Then as the vocals of "Absent Eyes" began, the music took a turn toward progressive rock. There was some excellent work on bass, while the guitar reached toward those ethereal spaces. "
Why'd you have to go and be that way?" "The Door" then began with some delicious drumming. "
Find another way out of this hole." At a certain point, the bass line could break through brick, through concrete, a furious pulse. That was followed by a peppier number. The set also included "Icarus," a seriously cool song that began with a great rhythm. "
All of your dreams have effectively turned into nightmares." The guitar seemed to issue a warning to us at the end. That was followed by "La Lluvia Cae," with another totally delicious rhythm, and even a drum solo, which I loved. It seemed from the reaction it got that everyone in the room felt the same way.
In introducing "Journey," Gee Landazuri said the song didn't have any lyrics, so he wanted those of us in the audience to make up a story and tell him about it later. And that story involved a red velvet dress that walked by, shouting of truth, then disappearing. Dark clouds soon formed in her absence, with one sharp fingernail ripping into the atmosphere, that finger then pointed directly at our hopes and ambitions, while laughter rumbled in the clouds. The laughter became our own, and as we shouted into the heavens, the beast receded. "In The Shadows" was introduced as a song about grief, written in a dark place. It featured another great, interesting beat, with some surprises. And holy moly, that bass! "
What am I to do?" The set then concluded with "Little Box," its wonderful guitar part transporting us. The song contained little teases of other songs, and the band jammed. Moses called for an encore, and the bartender was not to be denied. The band delivered a cover of "Californication." The line "
Buy me a star on the boulevard" stood out to me, as earlier in the day I had attended the unveiling of the star for The B-52s. Dedzmuzik is a band I'm going to be paying attention to.
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| Low Era |
Originally the night's lineup included Olaguay, but that band was unable to be there, and Low Era (is the name a play on a pitcher's Low ERA?) stepped in. Another trio, and apparently friends of Dedzmuzik, who got them onto the bill. These guys went right into the music, sans introduction, sans banter, kicking off their set with "Another Wasted Day." This song had a good groove, and at a certain point became harder before returning to that groovier section. This is a new band, and after that first song they mentioned that they are working on their debut EP. But for now, there is no music available on CD, or even digitally. They followed "Another Wasted Day" with "Back Of The Line," a rocking number. "Out Of Focus" featured some really good work on bass, particularly toward the end. "Demise" came on strong, and contained an excellent guitar lead. "Cracking Up" featured some excellent drumming. The band wrapped up the set with a great, solid rock song, with a good, pounding beat, with something of a Who influence heard. Their set ended just before eleven o' clock. People called for an encore, and the band started to oblige, but Lawrence Mann (the night's host) cut it short because of the time.
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| The Howling Faith |
The Howling Faith closed out the night. The only group on the bill to not be a trio, these guys are the duo of Laura Ishida on lead vocals and bass, and Danny Rodarte on guitar and vocals (though apparently they do sometimes perform with a drummer). During their soundcheck, there was some feedback, leading to someone in the audience howling, which Laura was quick to joke about, saying, "
That's why we're called The Howling Faith." This band with its first song of the set quickly established a very cool vibe, the guitar taking us to another place. I'm always excited when music can transport me. Laura mentioned that that song will be released next week "
in its full glory," that what we heard was its stripped down version. "Out Of Time" followed. "
Out of her mind, she's out of time." "World Of Hurt" was like a dark, dreamy surf, and was one of my personal favorites. "
Why did I love you/Knowing how it would end." Another highlight was "It's Too Late," a new song that featured some really nice stuff on bass. That was followed by "Days And Days." "
Do you think about me the way I think about you?" she asked in this one. And a certain power enters her voice as she repeated, "
Oh, I want you." The set ended right at midnight.
Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is located at 18389 Ventura Blvd.
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