The Bellrays

For those of you who don't know, this is the real deal, Jack. Sexy and intelligent, passionate and powerful all at once, listening to the Bellrays is like getting kicked in the balls by James Brown. No shit. The Bellrays call their music "Maximum Rock & Soul," which is as much a description of the heart that goes into their music as it is the music itself.

Taking a nod from groups as diverse as the MC5, Parliament, James Brown, Miles Davis, the Stooges, 60's R&B, and the Who, the Bellrays have succeeded in doing what few bands can do- making visceral music that emanates straight from the soul. Imagine a bus full of Motown recording artists being steamrolled by Black Flag, and you have a pretty good idea of what the Bellrays sound like. Formed in the Riverside California area, the band started out much closer to their R&B roots, with Lisa Kekaula's rich pipes and Bob Vennum's stinging guitar tones rooting the group in blues and soul. However, with the recent addition of Tony Fate on guitar and with Vennum moving over to the bass, the Bellrays have found the perfect formula for rocking out.

The BellRays recently signed with music impresario/svengali Alan McGee's Poptones label for European distribution. Poptones released "Meet The BellRays", a compilation of songs from the domestic releases "Let It Blast" and Grand Fury."

The BellRays were the buzz of the 1999 SXSW festival. They have toured the country with Nashville Pussy, shared the stage with The White Stripes, The Hives, The D4, Wayne Kramer, and Rocket From the Crypt, and gained the admiration and respect in every town they play.

Visceral, savvy, and honest, the Bellrays remind one of a time long past when music was dangerous and musicians were the people you didn't want your daughter going out with. THE SOUL-PUNK REVOLUTION! HIGH ENERGY! FUTURE NOW!

-S.D.

www.thebellrays.com

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