The Hard Lessons
Plush Lounge at the Key Club
West Hollywood, CA
5.20.08
by Genie Sanchez
Photos by …totallylikeduh!
Detroit bands always seem to amaze me. I don’t care what they look like as long as I know they are from Motown I can rest assured that I won’t be disappointed with how they sound. It must be something in the water, because every Detroit based band I’ve ever heard of seems to have one thing in common. These bands know how to rock. Now, I’m not talking about just getting up on stage and getting people to clap along to the chorus or being able to step into a studio and add a couple of effects here and there to compensate for the live shows - I’m talking rock! The kind of rocking out that gets people up off their asses, fist pumping and wagging their hair in the front row all the while shouting the lyrics to the songs at the top of their lungs. This kind of rocking can change lives. You know these bands, bands like MC5, the Stooges, the Dirtbombs, the Von Bondies and most importantly, the Hard Lessons. These bands are resilient, hard working and they rock! The Hard Lessons are no exception; these guys [and girl] pack a heavy punch.
Their sound is inescapable, lead singer/guitarist Augie’s licks are striking and worthy of a good head banging, while Koko Louise’s keys add depth to the powerful pounding drums of drummer “The Anvil” as the rhythm section caries the band’s intimate yet intense action packed live shows. Augie’s and Koko’s vocals are an influential force that has no problem bringing the crowd’s attention up to the stage. The band sounds and feels bigger than they really are, I saw them play to a tiny dark room of about 15 people but it felt like should have been buried in a sea of people ready to rock out.
They sounded and performed with such authority that upon closing my eyes I imagined they were playing to a stadium filled to capacity of rockers young and old. I’m amazed this band isn’t horrifyingly huge…yet. I guess only time will tell when the Hard Lessons will get their break and be able to rock out in the capacity they deserve, they certainly have the potential.
Check out the Hard Lessons:
MySpace.com/TheHardLessons
www.thehardlessons.com
Hard Lessons Photos
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