The Blessings
Safari Sams
Hollywood, CA
July 10, 2006
By Victoria
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
Photos By Victoria
We missed this band at the at the last couple of their shows around town and we owed‘em one. At last, The Blessings were playing in Hollywood and our calendar was clear. So was our conscience.
And Safari Sam’s was the stage the Blessings would grace on this July Monday. This is a newer venue and a good one. One of our favorite rock showcases - Kiss or Kill - makes its home here on Friday nights. Used to be a “gentleman’s club,” (aka strip club).
Two stories in a strip mall, it’s got a nice upstairs around two sides and a mezzanine on a third. It’s medium big, about the same size as the Whisky. Decent sound too. On Sunset Boulevard, past the freeway, as Diane Diamond told us, “over by the Home Depot.” Plenty parking too. Cool.
Back to this band. First thing we liked about them was their name, The Blessings. We dig that positive thing. What else they got? Nice hair, glitzy out fits, hats, sassy attitude and kick ass personality on stage. We’re calling a Grand Slam.
An early set around Hollywood will unfortunately result is a light crowd. Didn’t matter to The Blessings, this band was here to rock. First song had a little “Why do you let me chop you down?” line in it and was very New York Dolls. Little bit J. Geils too.
Lead singer, Jeremy confirmed it after the show. “Yeah, we were thinking of doing “Must Have Got Lost.” The rest of this fine band is Mike Gavigan on lead guitar, Frank Scimeca on bass with that very streaky hair. Pirates of the Carribean-Johnny Depp look-alike, Rob Iezzi :on the Drums. Rrrrrrrrahhhh. And Honky Tonk Man, Teddy Andreadas on keyboards.
Jeremy does some very mean harmonica in between his whispery hot blues-rock vocals. Master with a mic stand too, slashing it around like a light saber. With a step shuffle dance, Jeremy moves like a very young Jagger when he still had a Jones in his band.
Another song “That’s just the way it has to be; Don’t concern yourself with me” had a very Gram Parsons-Keith Richard-Wild Horses kinda feel to it. Who’s doing this mighty fine song writing? “I do” smiled Jeremy in the parking lot post-set. Just a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Intro’ing “Bloodshot Morning,” a straight-faced Frank told the growing crowd “this one is off the box set,” and keyboardist, Teddy went all Jerry Lee Lewis on us.
A couple of very hot songs wound up their set “Bare Bones” (a knock out) and their signature song “Drink in Her Hand (Slur in Her Speech).”
They are total tough guys on stage, but they don’t fool us. They are the kind of citizens that will repost a plea for a home for an abandoned kitten on their MySpace Bulletins. Thanks Share. Thanks Bubble. Bless us, everyone.