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Grace Potter and the Nocturnals with Blues and Lasers. By Krista K Have you heard of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals? I had once. knew she was a blonde with powerful vocal chords and a decent backing band. On December 15th, I was to learn a lot more. The show took place at a small venue called “The Independent” in San Francisco, around the Embarcadero District. It’s highly reminiscent of the old venue “The Gaslighter” in Gilroy. The venue contains a lovely fully stocked bar in the back and seating on either side, with giant stage up front. I was fortunate enough to get a seat as I got there early, but the place started filling up fast, and within ten minutes it was standing room only. The crowd was mixed, college students, hippies in sandals and tye-dye, aging rockers, parents (including mine ha!), and me in my cheetah print leggings and leather jacket. It was neat to see such a meeting of the the tribes, such a variety of people, all talking and socializing, drinking and waiting for the opening band, “Blues and Lasers.” I had no clue what to expect from band with this name. I knew they were from Vermont and made up most of Grace Potter’s backing band, so I was intrigued. Were they going to play the blues B.B King style and give us a Jefferson Starship or Poison-like light show? The lights dimmed and my question was answered very quickly. The first thing I see is no lasers and five good looking’ guys. I’m happy so far. The guys picked up their instruments, got the light show going (yes!) and the party started. Their songs were full of swank, swagger and reminded me a bit of older Aerosmith or Hawkwind. The thing I love about the blues is the emotion that comes with it, whether it’s libidinous or sad. No wonder this genre has been around so long and continues to evolve, sustain and mutate into bands like what I was hearing. The more they played, the more I got into it. Every song was a hip-shaker. More than once the band breaks into a beautiful harmonious melody, stunning the crowd. The guitars were bluesy and spacey at the same time. Everyone was moving. Every instrument sounded beautiful and every song contained just enough blues that I felt something so powerful, but it wasn’t sad. And just like every good band should, they came out with an overly impressive encore. After the set was over, I was blown away. Could it get better than this? I had the privilege to take a minute or two to speak to drummer Steve Sharon and ask him a few questions about this mind-blowing band. Here’s what he had to say. It was pitch black and Grace was set to go on in a few minutes, so I made it quick. KK: First off, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I enjoyed the set. I’m highly curious about your influences… Steve Sharon: Oh man, the Black Keys, Led Zepplin, Frank Zappa, J.R. Kimbrough and the Allman Brothers. There are a lot, but those are what I can think of right now. KK: Zappa is a necessity. How did you find your way to Blues and Lasers? SS: I knew Scott from Grace Potter’s band, and went to college with him in Vermont. KK: Why do you play? What keeps your passionate about Blues and Lasers? SS: I love that we’re trying hard to replace what rock and roll should be, as opposed to the pop rock that’s around now. KK: Definitely, it’s not the same. SS: The Jonas Brothers are NOT rock n’ roll! KK: I’m quoting you on that. Thanks for your time and talent! After my chat and a good laugh with Steve Sharon, I grabbed a drink and settled in for Grace Potter. Grace opened with a growl and a pack of bluesy, howling guitars. She was clad in a short black skirt, tall fringed boots, a clingy tank top, a cowboy belt and two of the shiniest hugest silver necklaces I’ve seen. I’m already inspired. Her hair is blonde with blunt bangs, to her shoulders, and from second one of the show, you know she’s in charge. The first number she purrs, “I don’t need no sugar,” tossing that blonde mane around like a headbanger out of control. The feeling here is lots of heartbreak and tons of slink and a heaping dose of swagger. She calmly sits at the piano next and coos “c’mon…treat me right.” seconds later screaming “TREAT ME RIGHT!!” This woman has seen her share of heartbreak, bad relationships and maybe just plain bad luck. “Give me Love, please…” she almost demands in the next number. Song by song, she reveals her indiscretions and vulnerability, peeling back each layer, letting us all see her as she is. Song by song she also has a band member bring up a different vintage guitar so she can shred along with her tunes. “I’m a no good mother, I’m a no good wife.” she confesses one moment, seconds later begging “Hey St. Peter, open up those pearly gates.” I think he will, based on this performance alone. It’s almost ethereal. Grace Potter looks and sings like a rock and roll angel if I’ve ever seen or heard one. This is someone who took their incidents and accidents and turned them into precious numbers like the aforementioned. She takes us through all her emotions, with her voice as your guide. But she doesn’t just leave it there. Just when I thought the show as over, she got on her knees and started banging the bass drum, chanting and howling. To top it all off, she transitions into a killer cover of Steve Millers ‘Big Ol’ Jet Airliner’ and rocks the house for the final song. The crowd went wild. This show blew me away. Both bands delivered beyond belief. There’s a new queen of rock in town, and her name is Grace Potter. I’ll leave you with a quote from one of Grace’s best songs, which she dedicated to a struggling friend,
“This too, my friend shall pass, so play every show like it’s your last.” http://www.gracepotter.com
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