When it comes to Blues-Rock cover bands this outfit nails it, playing a diverse array of tunes that spans decades of music and genres. They’re at-home playing Delbert McClinton’s, “Every Time I Roll The Dice,” or shifting gears and sliding into Stevie Ray Vaughan’s, “Cold Shot.” When you’re at one of their shows you’re there for the night; the act is tight and they own you and the music when they’re on stage kicking it out. They mix popular tunes in with more obscure covers that you recognize instantly. If you don’t think you like Blues-Rock, you will when you leave.
What makes this band stand out from other Blues-Rock acts? Everything. Rachel Jane (vocals) has a voice that has matured like a fine wine and will knock you on your ass, literally. She can put it out there like Aretha Franklin, giving you a taste and leaving you craving more. The remainder of the crew isn’t too shabby, either. J. D. Hash and Jay Gale share duties as vocalists and guitarists, deftly adapting songs to their respective styles; J. D. more of a southern rocker and Jay being a bit more swampy. Put this together with the outstanding rhythm section of Willie Allemang (drums, vocals) and Jack Reiter (bass and oh, so melodic) who keep it in the pocket, and you’re in for one hell-of-a-ride.
“We play three sets at most gigs, an hour and ten minutes on the front and back side with an hour and a half in the middle. We start the second set and part way through, Rachel takes a break and we take over for a while, and then Rachel re-joins us to close out the set. It works out real well,” says Jay. When I asked them about the songs they choose Rachel chimed in, “It’s the quality of the vocals and lyrics that are important when we’re choosing numbers to cover, we want to have fun and we want the crowd to have fun.”
Calling Westminster home, the band has been playing in one form or another for nine and a half years (Rachel and Willie), jamming at the likes of The Little Bear, The Lakewood Grill, Kermitts Roadhouse, Eagle Grill, and are known on the biker circuit. “We’re booked for the summer,” states Rachel, “Fifteen gigs through early September. We’re at a point where we pick the places we want to play. We know the clubs, crowds, and the music we want cover at each one.”
When we were done talking it was clear this act still has a passion for their craft, they’re professionals who respect each other, and they still love getting up on stage and entertaining the masses, as attested to by the set they performed at the People’s Fair; they actually had a girl rush the stage, go figure. So, when you’re out flying around town, put your landing gear down at one of the shows; you’ll be grounded for the night.
MySpace.com/RachelJaneAndTheHurricane
Taking their name from the engine in the Dodge Viper, “I picked the name because it reminded me of elegance and power,” says Dan Freeman (vocals, trombone, cowbell),”I equate it with the ability to perform.” Be prepared for a high-RPM performance from this act. When you think of Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Soul acts from the sixties and seventies, it brings back memories of well-groomed, well-tailored acts like The Miracles, Gladys Knight And The Pips, and so many others. The V-10 Power Band is just that, a well-oiled machine that takes you for a ride back to a past era of music, when class was in style, and dancing was big.
The band doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what they are, a well-rehearsed classy R&B/ Funk/Soul cover band who want to entertain you and get you out on the dance floor and into the groove. “It’s all about having a good time,” states Carol Henton (lead, backing vocals).
“We have cordless microphones and get right out on the floor with the people. We try to make the songs sound just like you remember hearing them,” adds Ted Cole (wind symph, flute, backing vocals). “When people are talking to us after a show they always mention that we made it sound just like they remembered hearing it. And that’s the way I think we should be doing it.”
The band is rounded out by a crew of talented individuals that include Kreo Rowlette (lead, backing vocals), Anton Mallard (lead, backing vocals), Greg McGovern (drums), Jesse Reddic (bass, backing vocals), Russ Porter (keyboards, backing vocals), and Oliver Hunley (guitar, backing vocals) – and together, what music they make!
“Rehearsals are big for us, we have to get our timing and steps down for the shows,” says Dan. “It’s a lot of work when you’re doing what we do, and let me tell you at the end of a night’s work we’re beat.”
The band has been performing anywhere from four to eight shows a month at the likes of Jazz At Jacks, The Summit Steakhouse, Cleatz Sports Bar, among others, and when you catch their act they’re putting out three sets a night. They recently played a set at the People’s Fair that instantly had everyone up and dancing, and many in attendance were wondering why the act wasn’t on the main stage; well there’s always next year. If you’re looking for a fun night, a good show, and want to take a little journey back to another era, you’ll want to check out The V-10 Power Band – they earn their keep.
MySpace.com/V10ThePowerBand
