Review
The Rhythm Doctors @ The Whisky
- Author:
- Review Date:
- 5/14/2001 13:30:47
Despite the rainy Sunday night, deprived Ska and Reggae fans who showed up to what seemed to be the first Steady Beat show in ages. Although not a terribly full crowd, it was more than would be expected given the circumstances. But people will go to greater lengths when a show involves the evening's main act- everyone's current favorite local band The Rhythm Doctors, who were joined by Irie Beats, Kingston 10, The Cover Ups, and The Soulsteppers.
The Soulsteppers are a 5-piece 'skinhead reggae' band from Bakersfield. I've heard people make references to The Upsetters when describing them, but I'd save that comparison for The Rhythm Doctors. I actually like The Soulsteppers, though. That was their second appearance in the L.A. area [their first being at the late club Rough & Tough back in May 1999]. I said this the first time I saw them, and I'll say it again: their singer/guitarist, Mike, SINGS- impressively. He doesn't have some sort of unbelievable, distinct voice. It has more to do with how he really 'belts it out' with a lot of feeling. Musically: a lot of skinhead reggae and they had some soul in their set, too.
The Cover Ups, Southern California's all-female Ska band, took the stage next. They have gotten better. They opened with their cover of 'El Pussy Cat'. They also seemed to have become less pop-py. The advantage to having an all-girl band is that if you don't like the music, at least you've got some eye candy. But, I think you'll like them. They have a demo out now, available at shows.
Kingston 10… oh man. This band has had major line up changes. New horn section [including Eitan Avineri from The Allentons], new guitar player [Nate Tanner who played for Mobtown in their dying months], and.. ehh.. some others, including the rather annoying guy who must have deemed himself Kingston 10 spokesman for the evening, since he never shut up. Sure he was kind of funny… at first. But by the end of their set I decided that if I had a BB gun, I just might like to shoot him. Not to kill him. Just a warning shot to make him shut up. On the brighter side, the singers have dropped their synchronized Carlton-from-Fresh-Prince dancing. And just to show that I can be fair, I will say that I really love their voices and they blend really well together. I mean it! Okay so the music's alright, too.
Irie Beats are a grrreat reggae band. Robert Sotelo is 'awesome' on guitar. I'm surprised smoke doesn't come from his fingers when he plays. Sometimes I just watch his hands and guitar in awe. Irie Beats have also seen some line up changes. One that's particularly disappointing is that Malik Moore [keyboard/vocals] is no longer with them.They also had a new bassist and keyboardist. I really had doubts at first, particularly after hearing about the no-Malik thing, but they sounded just as good as they ever did. They have a CD out now on Steady Beat Recordings.
The Rhythm Doctors seemed to be placing a new emphasis on the visual aspects of their stage show. Smoke machines left a cloud hovering over the bottom of the stage and billowing upward creating a mysterious feel. Flashing lights, which aren't anything new at the Whisky, took on a new life as they were almost reminiscent of lightning. Organ-playing front man Mark Quan 'made an entrance' wearing a Samurai-esque outfit. They played their usual songs like 'Jesse's Song' and their covers of 'Night Doctor' and 'Nevada Joe', as well as some new ones. Guitarist Brian Dixon's rhythmic foot steps along with Mark Quan, who has been compared to Jamaican piano and organ player Jackie Mittoo, heaving over his organ always adds a nice little something to their performance. The crowd seemed to be rather excited to see them- one couldn't help but overhear the shouts of 'Brian Dixon is a sexy bitch' and 'yeeeaaaah Jesseeee!' between songs. It should be noted that Korey Horn plays drums for both The Rhythm Doctors and Kingston 10, so he had his work cut out for him that night. This show marked the release of their debut CD 'Reggae Injection' on TKO Records, which is now available at a record store near you.
The Soulsteppers are a 5-piece 'skinhead reggae' band from Bakersfield. I've heard people make references to The Upsetters when describing them, but I'd save that comparison for The Rhythm Doctors. I actually like The Soulsteppers, though. That was their second appearance in the L.A. area [their first being at the late club Rough & Tough back in May 1999]. I said this the first time I saw them, and I'll say it again: their singer/guitarist, Mike, SINGS- impressively. He doesn't have some sort of unbelievable, distinct voice. It has more to do with how he really 'belts it out' with a lot of feeling. Musically: a lot of skinhead reggae and they had some soul in their set, too.
The Cover Ups, Southern California's all-female Ska band, took the stage next. They have gotten better. They opened with their cover of 'El Pussy Cat'. They also seemed to have become less pop-py. The advantage to having an all-girl band is that if you don't like the music, at least you've got some eye candy. But, I think you'll like them. They have a demo out now, available at shows.
Kingston 10… oh man. This band has had major line up changes. New horn section [including Eitan Avineri from The Allentons], new guitar player [Nate Tanner who played for Mobtown in their dying months], and.. ehh.. some others, including the rather annoying guy who must have deemed himself Kingston 10 spokesman for the evening, since he never shut up. Sure he was kind of funny… at first. But by the end of their set I decided that if I had a BB gun, I just might like to shoot him. Not to kill him. Just a warning shot to make him shut up. On the brighter side, the singers have dropped their synchronized Carlton-from-Fresh-Prince dancing. And just to show that I can be fair, I will say that I really love their voices and they blend really well together. I mean it! Okay so the music's alright, too.
Irie Beats are a grrreat reggae band. Robert Sotelo is 'awesome' on guitar. I'm surprised smoke doesn't come from his fingers when he plays. Sometimes I just watch his hands and guitar in awe. Irie Beats have also seen some line up changes. One that's particularly disappointing is that Malik Moore [keyboard/vocals] is no longer with them.They also had a new bassist and keyboardist. I really had doubts at first, particularly after hearing about the no-Malik thing, but they sounded just as good as they ever did. They have a CD out now on Steady Beat Recordings.
The Rhythm Doctors seemed to be placing a new emphasis on the visual aspects of their stage show. Smoke machines left a cloud hovering over the bottom of the stage and billowing upward creating a mysterious feel. Flashing lights, which aren't anything new at the Whisky, took on a new life as they were almost reminiscent of lightning. Organ-playing front man Mark Quan 'made an entrance' wearing a Samurai-esque outfit. They played their usual songs like 'Jesse's Song' and their covers of 'Night Doctor' and 'Nevada Joe', as well as some new ones. Guitarist Brian Dixon's rhythmic foot steps along with Mark Quan, who has been compared to Jamaican piano and organ player Jackie Mittoo, heaving over his organ always adds a nice little something to their performance. The crowd seemed to be rather excited to see them- one couldn't help but overhear the shouts of 'Brian Dixon is a sexy bitch' and 'yeeeaaaah Jesseeee!' between songs. It should be noted that Korey Horn plays drums for both The Rhythm Doctors and Kingston 10, so he had his work cut out for him that night. This show marked the release of their debut CD 'Reggae Injection' on TKO Records, which is now available at a record store near you.