Saturday, September 3, 2016

THE BLESSINGS ROCK SUNSET BEACH 8.27.16


Strange evening for one of L.A.'s best bands of this century, THE BLESSINGS on Aug. 27, 2016. At a dive bar club in the oceanic hinterlands of Sunset Beach CA that we'll call "Parental Unit's" during one this group's most popular songs "Shipwrecked," a Parental Unit's employee that we'll call "Miss Bummer" suddenly darted between the dancers and tried to stop them dancing, then halted the band's set with gestures initially taken to be personal distress on the part of Miss Bummer. 

What sort of capitalist establishment stops patrons from dancing, people from drinking, and the headlining band from playing live? Rumors abounded that the club lacked permits for live acts, making their booking of three loud rock bands all the more puzzling. 

Parental Unit's dive bar should be grateful The Blessings didn't follow the tack of THE DOGS who routinely played until all the plugs were pulled, or Ahab/Rehab who, when told to turn down the volume cheerfully all switched instruments claiming they couldn't possibly play as intensely. It took the management two whole songs before it realized it had been duped.

Oh well, at least I got to hear several brand new original songs amongst their material. Now on to more professional venues...Stalwart troupers The Blessings are: Jeremy White, lead vocals, harmonica, guitar; Mike Gavigan, lead guitar; Jason Upright, drums, Lavone Seetal, vocals and percussion; Jeffrey Howell, keyboards; Lights Out Levine, bass. More info within, click: LINK*.

 Openers Big Rig Dollhouse 
played admirable British boogie 
covers, plus a surprising take 
on Funkadelic's "Super Stupid" 
that translated quite well into 
British boogie! Leader of the
threesome is seen jumping on the bar,
 and above, commiserating 
backstage with Jeremy.

Perhaps it should have been seen as an omen, but on my way to this non-local gig was an entire automobile engulfed in flames, no doubt detaining commuters on the opposite side of the 405 Freeway for a minimum of 2 additional hours.  Here's two seconds of it shot while driving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i07qudDehBA

*http://fastfilm1.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Blessings

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