KELLY MCGARRY PRESENTS: Anytime you see this you know you are in for a killer night of music. Kelly throws some of the hottest Rock shows in all of SoCal working with some of the best bands in the scene. Sat Feb 23rd at House of Blues on Sunset was no different. The line-up for the night included: Hestyn, Ded Fuel, Mad Temple, Hotel Diablo, StoneBreed, and Thrashyr. If you missed this FREE show at one of SoCal’s premium venues, you missed one hell of a party.
Hestyn warmed up the HoB Sunset playing first. It is not easy being the first band but they did it with grace, style, and they nailed it. The guys are Ethan Pacilli -- Vocals & Guitar, Christopher John Peterson -- Lead Guitar, Jordan Lakin -- Bass and Jordan Henry -- Drums. Out of the OC (where we saw them first at the Anaheim HoB) this band “combines powerful melodies with passionate lyrics...” bringing the fans a true Rock ‘n Roll sound and live experience. The many fans that showed up early came up to the stage and got into the set, getting the blood moving in everyone in the room. If you like good ol’ rock check this band out.
Ded Fuel, a Metal band out of San Pedro, gets 2 metal horns in my book. Anyone who likes metal, and wants a face melting set check this band out. Tomislav Pintarik -- Vocals, Mike Lane -- Drums, Leonard Reef -- Guitar, and Shaun Luera -- Bass are Ded Fuel. I saw this band for the first time last Saturday night at this HoB show and I am eagerly awaiting to see them again. Their set was awesome, and judging by the reaction to the few hundred people on the floor, I know that I am not the only one that thought so.
Mad Temple is a high octane Rock ‘n Roll band that took the stage with the pizazz of a old skool Sunset Strip Rock band. Visually the band reminded me of the Doors and The Black Crows and their sound was straight up Sunset Strip Rock ‘n Roll. This band kept the fire of the crowd burning. House of Blues was rocking in true Hollywood style with this band.
Rick Stitch -- Vocals, Alex Grossi -- Guitar, Mike Duda -- Bass, and Mike Dupke -- Drums are Hotel Diablo. This LA band was the most hyped band for the night, including being the only band listed on the HoB marquee, and they did not let anyone down - they killed it! That sums up their set as a whole. During their set the guys shared a music video they just made for their fans, but that was not the only surprise for the night. They also brought out Gilby Clarke (formerly of Guns 'n Roses) for a song as well. Even without the surprise guest and video this band is a must see. They even had the balcony in on the fun, and to get the fans upstairs into the show you have to be doing something right. I saw them once and am now a fan.
StoneBreed is one of the best bands on the scene. Carlos Crus -- Vocal, Dave Eggers -- Guitar, Don Boadway -- Bass, Steve Sampson - Guitar, and Chris Torrey is StoneBreed. In their words, “STONEBREED delivers a unique blend of Hard Rock with a Southern Kick. You can hear their influences of Hard Rock, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, Country Rock, & Metal as it pumps out their songs like a Freight Train!”. What made me a fan of this band? Simple; they know how to rock. I have seen them over 5 times this year alone. Each show has been energetic, fun and rock ‘n roll bliss. Always good sound combined with top notch music, this is a band that I tell everyone about. This show was special for them because it was also their cd release party. If you have not scored their cd yet go and pick it up. I have it in my car and have not taken it out of my play rotation since I put it in over a month ago. It is great road trip music for all commuters.
Closing the night was Thrashyr. Harley H. Helstrum -- Vocals and guitars, Dagger Phoenix -- Lead guitars, Síon Smang -- Bass, and Sev Vulgera-- Drums are Thrashyr. If you’re hungry for Heavy Metal / Hard Rock, this is your band. Out of LA this band blew the top off HoB. It is rare to see so many people stay for the closing act when they don’t take the stage 'til after midnight. But like the band, Thrashyr fans are hard core. This band was the only band of the night to sport a mosh pit for most of its set. I have heard about this band for a long time, and I have heard their music online, but this was the first time I saw them on stage. My only regret; it took me this long to see them live. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Get to a Thrayshr show as soon as you can.
As always, "Occupy Your Local Venue & Support Your Local Bands!".
Written by Melissa Anderson with Wes "Rockwell" Anderson, http://www.ROCKwellUnScene.com
Photos by Rockwell Anderson Media (Melissa & Wes Anderson) for http://www.ROCKwellUnScene.com
