PurrView #9 - LV Weekly Music Issue Party

                Much of America (unknowingly) celebrates the Mexicans’ victory over Napoleon’s French Army in 1862 by guzzling tequila shots and margaritas, but Cinco de Mayo 2011 also marked Las Vegas Weekly‘s 2011 Music Issue celebration at Hard Rock Café on the strip (3771 S. Las Vegas Boulevard).  Appropriately, the event buzzed with margaritas, sample shots of Ambhar Tequila, and Heineken. Most importantly, the third floor of Hard Rock Café buzzed with the sounds of three talented local groups to showcase the magazine’s 2011 Music Issue.  This music issue features on the cover and in interview, Ronnie Radke, former frontman of Escape the Fate, and also contains other music-related goodies  such as an exploration of recording spaces around town, album reviews, suggested tracks (with online access to listen), and hot upcoming concerts to check out in our glittery city. In a rockin’ venue with a view overlooking the strip that can’t easily be beat, the sweet sounds of A Crowd of Small Adventures, Rhyme ‘N Rhythm, and Hold onto Sound made it a gratifying weeknight out on the town.
                  First to hit the stage were local faves,  A Crowd of Small Adventures with their indie/alt-pop sound. They played bits from their 2010 album, A Decade in X-Rays. The quartet graced us with upbeat songs that start subtle, but progress into make-you-wanna-dance violin-infused synth rock sounds. The band’s sound was pleasingly similar to the acoustic style of Mumford and Sons, infused with the versatile style of Arcade Fire.  With a classic, youthful, yet mature stage presence, it was a pleasure to feel this group’s supremely balanced chemistry and hear their beautiful crooning in person.     http://www.acrowdofsmalladventures.com
              Second band of the night is undoubtedly a Las Vegas locals’ favorite in another genre, Rhyme ‘N Rhythm. Commonly referred to as RNR, this 7 man/1 woman band is an energetic act that can be best described in their own words: “A Hip Hop/Funk/Soul Experience” .  Their sound is characterized by head-bobbing  bass, catchy keys, electric guitar (distortion and all!), bass guitar, drums, and tons of emcee input to complete the sound.  RNR’s reputation definitely preceded them. This was my first time catching them live, but I’d heard much about them and their funk/soul vibe through word of mouth. They definitely get around here in our town and have opened for such acts as 311, Flobots, Snoop, Ice Cube, and even Del the Funky Homosapien!  http://www.rnr702.com/
              The last band to perform at Weekly’s shindig was Holding Onto Sound. I was actually in the restroom washing my hands, contemplating whether or not I should head out (…school night, after all), when a chick that just exuded good vibes next to me asked, “You’re going to stick around for the last band, right?”.  As I looked her in the eye, I couldn’t deny a compulsion to say “Yes” and stay; so that, I did. The chick in the restroom was actually Vanessa, drummer for HOTS and I am definitely glad I stuck around to check her and the rest of the band out…. all the way to the last song! I hadn’t heard progressive punk/dancehall-ish sounds like that live in far too long! Their raucous sound brought back memories of Unwritten Law or Bad Religion, and lead singer, Bennett’s on-point vocals, at times had an apropos raspiness; reminiscent of Fat Mike of NOFX. Though HOTS’ sound had me nostalgic at times, their own personal style snapped me back to the here and now,  and made me really appreciate them as one of the best punk bands in the area, with one of the best screamers around fronting.
                Kudos to Spencer Patterson  and the others at Las Vegas Weekly on a great 2011 Music Issue and on a smart, eclectic line-up for the celebration!  And kudos to these three great local bands! Nights like this make me realize what a great scene and what vast talent we have in this city....

~Meow~
Pennies