#wpbrradioroom

[lvlrnxrcrds-blog]

Show of the Week: Hillary Keane Project in Greenville

The Hillary Keane Project is a newly formed band showcasing the musical talents of its namesake. Keane, whose older brother Brian wrote “She Left Me for Jesus,” which Hayes Carll turned into an Americana favorite, is a skilled singer-songwriter with her own distinct sound. The Upstate native is celebrating her Lovelorn Records debut album, “Gemini Syndrome.”

[legendzoftheroad]

PowerKompany and Sexual Side Effects at the WPBR Radio Room

PowerKompany is pictured above.

WPBR Radio Room:

Names can be misleading. There is no radio tower flying high above the WPBR Room. We pull in to the parking lot Nate and I make bets about what was inside this faceless, windowless, and deserted box. With no sign on the door and nothing but cigarette butts lying on the ground, it is hard to tell if we are in the right place. 

The classic smell of stale beer and old ash-trays confirm our guess. This is it. True rock clubs do not need signs. 'Unisex' is a universally accepted concept. There is a hotdog painting over one toilet room and a donut over the other. The stickers and posters haphazardly glued to the walls assure me that we are playing in a real venue. 

PowerKompany joined the bill last minute. I'm glad they did because Sexual Side Effects got stuck in traffic and were late enough we thought maybe they saw the venue and ran in the other direction. 

PowerK stole my heart. Their music successfully blends electronics with violin, acoustic guitars and very very good vocals. I bonded with Marie over Ableton Live. She's the first real woman I've gotten to geek out with in person over the computer software which has been my tool for the past year. 

Sexual Side Effects? Go see a show and you will understand. 

SSE stole the show. Amber Taylor is a powerhouse of guitar virtuosity and performance antics. I became so engrossed in the show I forgot to take a picture. I stole one off their site that reminds me of Amber's finale at the WPBR. I'm sure that you've never seen someone play guitar that accurately while retching around on the floor.

I try to find her afterwards but she's surrounded by adoring fans, signing merchandise and being very approachable. The Sexual Side Effects know how to put on a ROCK show. Sometimes I fear the art of Rock Show is dying. Nate and I see a lot of live music and it's been maybe never since I've seen someone smash guitars and produce that much sweat on stage. 

My dinner salad doubled as a game of Jenga.