Rival Sons at Lambert's [Show Preview]

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Rival Sons @ Lamberts
Saturday, May 28
Lamberts (401 West 2nd Street)
$8 adv, $10 door, 10:30 pm
[info] | [tickets]

Hard ‘n’ heavy blues rock has been a staple of rock & roll since Blue Cheer first cornholed Eddie Cochran and Cream cranked Robert Johnson past 11. But every once in a while a band comes along that makes the stale classic rock form(ula) seem fresh again. L.A.’s Rival Sons slap a new coat of paint on a familiar chassis, making the tires hum and the motor purr like it just rolled off the factory belt.

It probably doesn’t hurt that the band is more interested in exploring Hindu philosophical and religious issues in modern times than cheerleading sex, drugs, etc. While that gives the Sons a spiritual sheen not usually found in ass-kicking hard rock bands, it’s the soulful charisma of frontman Jay Buchanan (who has a second life as an introspective singer/songwriter) and the melodic riffology of guitarist Scott Holiday that will bring in the punters. Tunes like “Get What’s Coming,” “Sleepwalker” and “Torture” are powerful without being ponderous, righteous without being retro, cocky with being cock rock. With an indie record, a digital EP and a new full-length coming soon on metal specialist label Earache, plus a growing buzz in the U.K., Rival Sons are poised to remind their own countrymen that music doesn’t have to be Pitchfork-approved to matter. No opening act, so no barriers between you and the rock & roll experience you didn’t know you were missing.

Rival Sons: [website]