L.A. Beat launch a success thanks to great bands and great people

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I couldn’t have picked a better show to piggyback on for L.A. Beat’s official launch party at the the Slice, Oct. 10.The Ramblin’ Ambassadors. Photo By Richard Amery

Three smoking acts made the gig one of the hottest of the weekend if not the year. It began with Calgary surf/instrumental/rockabilly band the Ramblin’ Ambassadors who tore the place apart and just got better, making their set a tough act to follow.

There was a lots of big, bold Gretsch twang as the Ramblin’ Ambassadors showed the audience how to make an entirely instrumental sound work. Rich Hope and the Manvils were up to the challenge though.

Rich Hope and Mikey Manvil and their tech sing. Photo By Richard AmeryI’d been looking forward to seeing Rich Hope And his Evil Doers (also including drummer Adrian Mack) for awhile. He’s a short man with a huge voice and an even bigger guitar sound with a lot of raunchy blues inspired slide and finger picking.  Not to mention endless energy. 

Dressed in thick framed Buddy Holly styled glasses and a leather jacket, he bounded all over the stage, played guitar behind his back and prowled into the crowd and even brought Mikey Manvil up on stage for a number.
Rich Hope was singing and dancing on the tables. Photo By Richard Amery

He began with “Love Like a Bullet” from his second album, but most of his set focused on music from his latest CD, “Whip it On Ya.” Some highlights included “My Baby Likes to Boogaloo” and “Jump Around Some” which segued into a few bars of “Radar Love” which got an almost full house out on the floor dancing. “Mananamous” off the new CD was a highlight as was “Death Bed Blues.”

He knocked my favourite new song “You’re an Ice Queen Baby,” out of the park.


A trimmed down trio, the Manvils tore up the place afterward to finish the show with unbelievable energy and lots of upbeat rock and roll which had the crowd jumping along. Mikey Manvil jumped into the audience and bounced along with them. It’s great to see an enthusiastic crowd digging great music.

Thanks to everybody for coming out for L.A. Beat. I’m planning future gigs as well, so stay tuned.

 

—By Richard Amery, L.A Beat Editor
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