Helios/LoveRush/Aranda/Red Halo
Workplay
Birmingham, AL
26 Aug 2007
By Lynda
(SugarBuzz Atlanta)
Workplay in Birmingham, AL, is a beautiful theater with great stage lighting, plenty of floor space, and tables & chairs around the circumference of the room. It has a luxuriant feeling to it, which helps create a mature and personal mood. But when the place isn’t full, all of its magnificence seems spent, yet none of the 4 bands that played Aug. 26 seemed taken aback.
First to hit the stage were Atlanta-based power pop sweethearts the Helios. Being the opening band when barely anyone has arrived is always an awkward and difficult position, but the band played it off well. Carly’s sugar sweet persona and chipper stage presence easily kept the meager audience’s attention well enough to get full applause.
The Helios played with the energy and focus that treated the handful of people as if they were a roomful. And when they needed that extra little support, they played to each other on-stage, which made for sensitive and endearing moments. Between “story teller” instances, a kind yet strong lead voice, catchy guitar riffs, melodious bass lines, and driving drums, an impeccable performance was given, even if to such a few (honoured) souls…
After their set, band mates Carly and Adam came out and chatted with fans, then treated a select few to free t-shirts (of which I wore mine home that night) before zipping off to head back to Atl. http://myspace.com/heliosmusic
Second in line was Atlanta’s favourite “mutt rock” powerpop rockers LoveRush. Since the Old brothers (singer/guitarist Erath and bassist/backing vocalist Sean) lived in Birmingham before relocating to Atlanta, this was old stomping ground, and old friends and (of course) family were there for support… not to mention some fanatic Atlantian girls who followed the band on their 3-city tour stint that ended here.
It was awesome to see the guys on a nice, big stage with flattering lighting and beautiful sound quality. They, too, played to a nearly empty room (ok, let’s face it, the whole show was like this), but their exhilarating stage energy and “I will win you over” attitude made for a riveting atmosphere. They enticed the crowd with their ever so catchy powerhouse pop hits, heartbreaking ballads, and a sexy cover of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette”.
It was during their set that an amusing number of cameras (digital, real, phone, film, etc) came out in full force. When people weren’t standing up front to rock/sing along, they were running around trying to get the “best shot” of these 3 hot rockin’ manbabes. http://myspace.com/loverushmusic
Aranda is a band from Oklahoma City, OK (duh). I had never heard of them before that night, but I guarantee I will never forget that name because I will never forget that mind-blowing performance!
This 4 piece (also led by brothers: Dameon and Gabe Aranda), exuded so much soul in their bluesy funk classic rock that it made my head light and gave me the shivers. I remember saying such blasphemy as “Holy @$&*” after their very first song. I also remember shaking my head in disbelief at the shear talent and room-filling sound and emotion.
The brothers switch off singing lead, both contributing a sometimes raspy, always gripping, vocal tour de force. And my gawd could that man play guitar! At one point, he gets out on the floor and plays slide guitar-using his shoe! It was a phenomenal performance that had everyone on his or her feet. I think Red Halo lead singer echoed the sentiment best when he yelled out “I’m not going .. that! No way!” http://myspace.com/aranda
Which leads us to the final band, Birmingham fav’s Red Halo. A sassy, sexy, and talented bunch that has been at this thing for a while (used to be Virgos Merlot), Red Halo could easily share a pint with you, then steal your girlfriend while you take a piss and kick your ass when you try to say anything about it. They just have that real rockstar thing going on.
Despite technical difficulties and temper tantrums due to tensions between members, the Halo boys brought the rock. They wrapped up the night by neatly tying the audience to the front of the stage (figuratively) for their entire set while they pounded out sweltering ditties that had fists/beers in the air, audience sing-a-longs, and undeniable lady parts moistening taking place.
Lead singer Chase is on crack-well, probably not, but he has the vigor of a 3 year old, and the ADD to keep the air buzzing…which only adds to the animated front man poise that he has. Backed by guitarists Deacon and Marchant, drummer J.D., and bassist Carl Ray, the Red Halo set was enthralling, and I know a lot of bands who could stand to have a little more of the audacious attitude that helps keep these guys on top of their game. http://myspace.com/redhalorocks