I didn’t get to many shows this week, well, there weren’t many anyway, but I was pleased to have caught Winnipeg grunge/metal band the Solhounds at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, March 30.
But I wanted to check them out because former Go For the Eyes singer/ keyboardist Elise Roller was singing lead vocals for them. I wish I’d taken her advice and brought earplugs along, because they were loud. Very loud and bass heavy.
I missed Go For the Eyes guitarist Jeff Turner and drummer Nate’s new project, but I arrived in time to see the Solhounds.
Elise Roller, dressed in a flowing black lace cape, writhed like a possessed Stevie Nicks while sounding like Courtney Love singing with Pearl Jam, except with a touch more soul and a lot more vocal range. She also had a touch of the Runaways in her sound.
They had a massive bass groove and crunchy, beefy guitar riffs and very few solos, though the odd guitar solo did give them a Pearl Jam feel.
Their music ranged from slower, sludgy numbers with a huge bass groove, to more straight ahead, punk infused songs.
In addition to big riffs, they also added wah wah pedal to both the bass and guitar.