I only caught the first part of a day long band showcase at Smokehouse featuring a variety of different genres of music, Jan. 25.
Dory and the Weathermen opened the show with a set of classic rock covers.
Dory Rossiter sang lead on most of the songs as the other band members added harmonies.
They played a variety of classic rock and R and B songs including an excellent version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” as well as “ Lay Down Sally.” They wound down their set with bassist Gerry Clewes bringing out a mandolin for some pretty cool covers of the Pure Prairie League’s “Amie,” as well as Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road.”
They weren’t helped by a bass heavy sound or excessive reverb on the vocals, which was true of the first two bands.
For something completely different, Death Pledge played an energetic set, giving fans a taste of their evening show at the Moose Hall.
They played a tight, loud set of bone crushing guitar and thundering bass while vocalist Phil Sirias showed off his vocal range from deathly lows, to operatic air-raid siren highs that would do Bruce Dickensen or Rob Halford proud.
Death Pledge were impressive as usual.
They ended their set with a couple of Iron Maiden and Pantera.
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor