Yep, I run the serious risk of being lumped in with all those other writers who perpetually blast hot air without knowing what they're talking about. But this L.A. band has the musical chops and songwriting skills to actually make me look like I know what I'm talking about. See how easy it is? Find a great band, tell the truth about them, and you look like a genius!
The Whiskey Saints are based in Los Angeles, and have just released their second album, 24 Hours. And it's a good one. The yearning songs are too loud to be true Americana, and too rootsy to be pure alternative. So as one of the Davids (Bloomfield) told me, “we're just a rock and roll band”. Sure. And Recharged Radio just plays music.
The band is made up of David Sparrow on lead vocals, guitar, and piano, and David Bloomfield on lead guitar. Jeff Bell plays drums and percussion, and Rob Hughes plays bass and adds some vocals. The aforementioned two Davids have been the principal songwriting team, and Rob's songs have started to show up in the band's repertoire. And what a sound. It's big, yet intimate at the same time. Who do they sound like? I don't know—perhaps if the members of U2, Coldplay, and Uncle Tupelo got into a nasty barroom brawl, and somehow all ended up friends, you might approximate The Whiskey Saints. They've been together for about six years, and have locked in on that perfect chemistry that makes for a tight sound and near-psychic knowledge of what should come next musically.
These guys have been tearing up the L.A. music scene, playing local gigs everywhere they can. But remember—when you're talking about L.A., it's a whole other level. “Local gigs” mean world-famous venues such as the appropriately-named Whiskey A Go Go, The Viper Room, and Molly Malone's. The Viper Room is where their CD release party was held, to great fanfare. And when you're in L.A., you're going to get noticed. You're under the microscope.
They've been getting a lot of well-deserved attention. The songs are exciting vehicles for their stellar songwriting. There is a really cool (and slightly scary) video for their first single “Before My Time”. It's really well done, and pushes a great song idea to the extreme (view it on the home page of their website, www.thewhiskeysaints.com).
Despite all the attention, these four really strong musicians remain humble about it all. You'll hear that come through in the interview this week, and it's a pleasure when talented guys such as these are down to earth. They're great guys, and deserve your support, and you'll meet them and hear a few of their songs on this week's California Diner.
www.thewhiskeysaints.com
If you'd like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you'd like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you'd like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the California Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.
This note also appears in the News section on the home page of RechargedRadio.com.
See you then!
Chef Mike
mike(at)rechargedradio.com
MN2BDNC
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Baby Scream - Suddenly
Lannie Flowers - Circles
Jonny Cola & The A-Grades - Postcode Wars
The Pilgrims - Whole Level Down
The G-Men - The Best I Can
Vegas With Randolph - Above The Blue
The Whiskey Saints Interview
The Whiskey Saints - Every Little Thing
The Whiskey Saints – Before My Time
The Whiskey Saints – Always In My Heart
Todd Dillingham - Crimson Spires
Corner Laughers - The Red Queen
Isaac's Aircraft - My Baby Did Me Wrong
Sound Sessions - Be My Shaper
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Maxi Dunn - How Was I To Know
Kaz Murphy - Waitin' On Elvis
Nushu - Here's To Feeling Free
The Britannicas - Bleed Between The Lines
Bill Mumy - Rely On That
Laurie Biagini - Ridin' The Wave
Chad Neaves - Something In My Soul
Lindy LaFontaine - Free To Breathe
Debora Iyall - Bring It
The Dashing Suns - Sally Moore
Maple Mars - Borrowed Sunshine
Dead Heart Bloom - Sentimental Cures
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