23600 Rockfield #3A
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-206-9990
http://www.thegypsylounge.com
©
2003-2004 - Myracleworks Engineering Group/Aaron D. Settipane - ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
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| GROOVIN' WITH THE DOLLYROTS AT GYPSY LOUNGE | ||
| By Aaron D. Settipane // May 24, 2004 | ||
| LAKE FOREST, CA – Buried deep within the bowels of Orange County is a small oasis of music locked in the lustful confines of the Rockview Center, nestled next to a large strip club inventively named “Captain Cream” called The Gyspy Lounge. Even though this venue if often missed completely by passers-by, it usually has a running scene with the local clique of bands that are pervasive in Orange County. Tonight, however, this did not apply, as they were all playing at the Space party in Long Beach. While they were out, one rising star took the stage and slammed home a compact, killer set that kids in the world need to take notes on so they can rock like rock stars and not pathetic wannabees. | ||
| Playing to a curious blend of locals, strippers, fans of other bands and a small group of Hell Angels that decided to drop by for a beer, the spectacle started off with a weak opener by longtime Gypsy Lounge player Crack Sunday. We didn’t say it – even their singer describes themselves as: “We’re um, well, we get called ‘different’ a lot.” Okay, it’s not like they get up on stage and play in grass skirts or anything, and Norm was just a few shades drunk; but their music did take a sharp dissonant tone which just caught people off guard. | ||
| Buoyed by the not-so-blistering pace of the first act, The Dollyrots took the stage and launched a lusciously livid show, completely surprising the bar goers with their intensity and energy. Fuelled by songs of young relationships gone wrong and the usual degree of teen angst, The Dollyrots served up a salacious helping of near-true-to-form punk with a slightly (and we stress slightly) pop edge, but close enough to still win over those misguided children who think bands like Simple Plan and Avril Lavigne are punk rock. Kelly Ogden wielded the bass (which was almost as long as she is tall) with an expert’s efficiency while belting out the burning verses with playful and angrily sincere cantor along the lines of Kay Hanley (think Letters to Cleo), yet could switch up to same piercing power of similar to Exene of X. | ||
| Ogden is backed up by lead guitarist Luis Cabezas whose mysterious style is a quiet-cool storm in they eye of this hurricane, harmonizing with Ogden’s riffing in a surprisingly sharp manner, while showing off his above-average playing talents for all to wonder and be amused. | ||
| Keeping the beat and time is Joshua Valenti for whom we express particular empathy. At the end of the set, Ogden threw her bass down and dove over the drum kit, clotheslining Valenti, with Cabezas following suit just thereafter. Apparently this guy has to take it on the chin from Ogden every show, and has been for their tour, suffering torn muscles and other assorted sundry injuries in the process. Granted most guys would love to have Ogden diving at them, but not when it can result in a hospital stay! Nevertheless, he’s a machine, showing up every night to knock out the beats and help slam the show home. | ||
| The Dollyrots present a surprisingly organized, intelligent, cohesive, loud, fun and sincere punk rock show, the likes we’ve not really seen done by too many other bands between San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties. These musicians have the style potential of No Doubt, the strength of musicianship of any signed act out there and the potential for serious longevity, given their youth and ambition. They have been touring nationally and could actually end up in your neighborhood! Their neo-retro-80s-esque modern punk sound is a truly refreshing and powerful difference from all of the bubble-punk or wannabee punk bands currently dominating the alternative airwaves. We definitely recommend catching this starlit trio as soon as you can while you still can in the clubs, as we will surely be seeing them in the arenas within the next few years. | ||
| On the web at http://www.thedollyrots.com. | ||
| The Gypsy Lounge 23600 Rockfield #3A Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-206-9990 http://www.thegypsylounge.com |
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©
2003-2004 - Myracleworks Engineering Group/Aaron D. Settipane - ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED |
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