Benvenue Teases the Roxy Theatre
| Written by Paul Lyons |
| Saturday, 26 February 2011 21:54 |
On a bill featuring bands like Bolt Action Thrill, Awaken The Empire, and Circus Junkies, NoCal alternative hard rock band Benvenue (pronounced “Ben-venoo”) played a blistering short and sweet six-song set at The Roxy last night in West Hollywood. Named after a street from their beloved hometown of Berkeley, vocalist Francis Blay, bass player Tommy Sonin, drummer Moon, and guitarist Sid Slater came out guns-a-blazing with a high-powered performance featuring songs from their 2010 debut album Jean Elizabeth. With a sound reminiscent of Living Color, mixed with the aggressiveness of Alice In Chains, and the melodic edge of Incubus, Benvenue hit the stage with everything they got. By the second (and best) song of the night, “21/8,” the band truly shined with a huge sound that stretched above and beyond the small confines of the Roxy. This was followed by another very strong song, “Here’s To You”...which gave wild man bassist Tommy Sonin plenty of opportunities to crouch down and bang his head and body as hard as possible. “No Way” came next...a song with a strong dynamic and a sweeping chorus. Benvenue played this perfectly, a well as the next song...”On My Way.” With time running out for the next band to go on, Benvenue only had the chance to play one more song...the leading track from the Jean Elizabeth album...”She Did.” Before the crowd knew what hit ‘em, the curtain came down and the show was over. I was very impressed with the way the Jean Elizabeth songs sounded in concert. As good as that album is, its songs don’t really come alive until you’ve heard them on stage. Benvenue is a really exciting live band. I actually felt the stage shaking when Moon pounded those drums, Sid Slater leaped off the ground with his guitar, and Francis Blay prowled the boards with his commanding presence. Six songs were not enough for me. I wanted more, much more... |
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