Weekly Live Music Review is a regular online feature where Guangzhou-based musician Kirby Carney reviews a live performance in the PRD.
Three bands make today’s list of interesting and cool things I saw last week in the PRD.
This past weekend was Hooley's rather prestigious Battle of the Bands, and because I'm new around here – and also competing in The Guvnor's Trio, who perform at Rebel Rebel every Tuesday (cheap plug) – I figured I’d better check it out. Below is a play-by-play of three performances from last Thursday night:
Troubadours
When I arrive, the grunge-heavy Troubadours are rocking the stage, playing a classic straight from Nirvana’s Nevermind. I already like these guys – they’re an international bunch with Alesso on the drums from Italy, Johnny D from England and Kelvan from South Africa. They are quite literally a universal wave of sound that’s bound to make you jump to your feet and rock out like the first time you discovered Rage Against The Machine's ‘Killing In The Name.’
Johnny D, Troubadours
But I digress: the band is loud. They're a menace to the soft and peaceful eardrums of the unsuspecting hippies, who have now converted to grungism. They're LOUD, they're rocking and they're fun.
Talking to the boys afterwards, you can tell that this is something they do because they love constantly cracking jokes at each other:
"Please Kelvan, buy a case! If Trump can win the election, you can buy a bass case,” laughs Johnny D. These boys are clearly having more fun onstage than anyone else in the room.
Troubadours
Bad Astronauts
Next up are the Bad Astronauts: an untraditional dance troupe, and I'm not talking EDM. They embrace the UK's 90s big beat culture with classic 70s rock riffage.
Imagine a love child born from the sensual mix of 70s and 90s dance music and you've got a pretty good idea of what these bad boys sound like.
Now back that up with two poet-turned-hype men who add witty cutting and you have a band soaring pretty damn high.
Tuck G, Bad Astronauts
Slang poetry straight from the urban life of someone who cuts through general bullshit is clearly highlighted in all of their original tracks, including my favorite: the vibrant ‘Swonky’ (if you can figure out what that means, you get 10 points and a hug).
George Day, Bad Astronauts
I get to know the group afterwards, including Steven, who looks like a classic 70s hippie with classic riffs; George Day, an English man with the charming wit of a rapper/poet; Laurie, a tight bass player making the music as fat as it should be; Mike, a drummer that makes you appreciate big beat once again and Tuck G, a hype man turned poet/rapper.
They say they feel privileged to show original tunes in a world that is dominated by covers and that if you haven't yet, you need to "catch the vibe and enjoy the ride," in the words of the great Tuck G.
Bad Astronauts
The FankZ
Now, I do like a good prediction, and will be very surprised if this next Russian group isn't a lock for the final. As soon as the female lead walks into the room, people are already cheering for her. Talk about charisma – the whole band looks like rock stars.
This Russian quintet is a combination of sassy, classy and refined sex appeal backed by technical and passionate musicians as well as two beautiful female leads: singer Anna and saxophonist/singer Tatiana, who can play the audience like a fiddle.
Anna Zenkova, The FankZ
Other than the two lovely ladies rocking the microphone, guitarist Vasilii reeks of a passion so contagious it’s stinking up the whole joint. The man knows his music and loves it so much it's making me sick. He's got riffs to match for days.
The rhythm section, Artur and Konstantin, are dressed in black and are backing up the charisma machines with classic beats. Leading the rhythm section is Dmitry – the rock keyboardist that pulls off a cool, dark look.
Tatiana Lakerson, The FankZ
The band jumps onstage with ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ showing they can clear blow the roof off the place if need be. They follow through with ‘Ain't Nobody Loves Me Better’ (by Felix Jaehn), which shows the band's pure diversity in style and in pose.
Artur Karimov, The FankZ
They finish with a tribute to their friend in the audience, a song called ‘Risin'’ (don't quote me on that). If these guys aren't performing next Saturday in the final you know that someone, somewhere must have got something wrong.
To view the finalists in this year's Battle of the Bands and a video recap of the festivities, click here.
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