Dalliance Elixir won the the last episode of Average Joes open for the bands contest which ended with a bang, a blast and some rock and roll, June 16 at Average Joes. The competitors were vying for the chance to open for classic rockers Sweet.

 Wild card additions to the list, Greg Gomola and Paul Kype, played some uptempo acoustic rock to open the show.

 They began with three catchy Greg Gomola originals, which were reminiscent of the Los Lonely Boys. Throughout they traded fleet fingered guitar solos and ended their set with covers of “Pink Floyd‘s “Wish You Were Here,” and The Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb,” which included some sizzling solos.


Local rock band DeadVoice were up next with a set of bass heavy originals. They had most of the crowd cheering for them and one girl who threw her bra on stage during their last song “Salute to Rock and Roll.”
 They continue showing potential and have some serious musical chops which require some honing. They showed their influences including a lot of blues and classic rock as well as a lot of modern rock.

Another wild card act were next.
 Local metal band Rex began their set with a tight version of the Cult’s “Wildflower,” followed by a solid and energetic version of Seven Mary Three’s “Cumbersome,” which drew huge cheers.
 They showed they know how to keep on top of the cover scene by playing a brand new Slash song which is on the radio now.

My favourite though was their fourth song, a  tight, metal original I think was called “Burn”. It was tight and well played. I look forward to hearing the CD they are about to record.

 They ended with another solid cover of Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction.”


 The eventual winners of the contest, Dalliance Elixir, wound up the show with a set of jazzy, mostly original and all good. They started with a hot version of “20th Century Fox,” played an upbeat original and followed that by showing their softer side on a slow, jazzy song called “My Shadow.”

 

Jolene Draper has a really appealing, sexy voice, which she showed off on an Ida Marie cover “I Like You Better When You’re Naked” and a hot version of White Rabbit.

While Bruce Roome’s bass was too loud, he and guitarist Murray Nelson played tasteful licks which special guest drummer Brady Valgaardson held them all together in the background.