19 Sept 10

Hey, blogspot readers, it's an extra special Sunday night adventure for SouthSide! She's rockin' the Elbo Room to see and review three bands known for their unique as well as eclectic music. From far away as Vienna, Austria and Boston, MA or simply local, Lehnen, Grand Evolution and Warhellride are making an impact within their respective genres in the indie scene. And SouthSide highly recommends blogspot readers into checking out each band at their next scheduled performances.

High octane punk/rock was the best way for SouthSide to describe Warhellride's opening act. This lively energetic trio kicked off the night and lineup with an explosive BANG! There was plenty of guitar riffs and percussion rhythms vibin' inside War's songs which thrilled this reviewer with chills and exhilerating excitement seen in their stage presence. Punk fans will definitely enjoy the fast twittering chords and heart-stopping changes that gets the blood boiling to the band's sound. And don't be fooled by the downtempo riff changes either (during certain songs) ...it's merely a prelude to the wow-factor of sound happening at the chorus and instrumentals. Though fighting off a slight cold in the vocals, Jimmy (front man on guitar) pumped a lot of raspy angst and aggression into War's lyrics especially during Come Back To Me and The People Vs The Gun. SouthSide also recommends listening to the pseudo ballad wonderfully titled Sentimental Purpose slowing things down for a moment so the audience could feel the raw emotions heard within his vocals (despite straining towards the end). Plus check other songs featured on the myspace.com site Greetings From The Apocalypse and Apathetic Casualty. For more information about Warhellride, visit http://www.myspace.com/warhellridemusic.

Under the cover of semi-darkness, Lehnen (from Austria) wowed SouthSide with a very intense performance of sight and sound. It created the perfect atmosphere for everyone in the basement lounge by setting the tone and mood of the music performing tonight. Instantly this reviewer fell in love with the majestic composition (almost like hearing Mozart's Piano Concerto number 20 for the first time) to Lehnen's opening song, What Is In The Air which beautifully begun the set. The audience was suddenly seduced as well as immersed into a world of haunting Euro electronica beats/rhythms coupled with emo/guitar rock in the riffs. Such a combination did something to body and soul ...it was awe-inspiring ...heavenly yet lucid when adding vocals by Joel (front man on guitar) on lyrics. Plus Lehnen stimulated the mind and senses with vivid video images to provide a deeper sense of symbolism which conveyed the tone for each song. For example this reviewer loved the calming sensation felt while watching the waves of water and rain for one song ...meanwhile for another, it was the fun and excitement of being at an amusement park. This helped give her the rush of Lehnen's energetic vibe during songs like Make Believe (poetry in motion behind an electronica-beat driven sound and Coma (an electrifying closer for this performance). Off the album, Awake, SouthSide suggests listening to tracks 2 - White Flowers and 6 - Loom as well as the title track, Awake. Catch the band while you can during Lehnen's US tour, blogspot readers. For more information, visit http://www.lehnenmusic.com or http://www.myspace.com/lehnen.

Currenly in the middle of their first US tour, Grand Evolution (from MA) popped onto the stage with a rockin' alternative/rock groove. This band's music exploded with plenty of energy and momentum vibin' off the three guitars with wildly twittering riffs/chords for the audience. It was, blogspot readers, extremely wicked especially during the instrumentals as each riff/chord dizzily took us from one extreme to the next. WOW! The only problem about Grand's set - Jeremy's guitar sound was up too loud that drowned out his vocals at the chorus shared with Sarah. She needed more of Heremy's voice and less of his guitar when Sarah beautifully sung Vanish. Still SouthSide highly recommends rockin' with Grand by listening to Suicide Girl (check out the hot video on YouTube) and The Way I Kill (plenty of angst and aggression heard within Sarah's voice ...this female lead singer did pack a solid punch with her soft voice yet very powerful and emotionally dynamic). This band certainly rocked down the house with their rendition of Pixies' Gigantic before featuring other songs off their CD titled Recovery such as Welcome and Happy Hour. For more information, visit http://www.grandevolution.com or http://www.myspace.com/grandevolution.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide