Willie Herath Band live at Molly Malones, October 30, 2006, Reviewed by June Caldwell. Molly Malones is the quintessential LA staple, the Irish Pub. There is one of these Irish pubs for every 5 blocks in LA. There isn't much Irish identity in LA, as apparently we honor the Irish primarily for their ability to provide us with beer, which is no little honor here. How is it an Irish pub? You can tell by the giant clovers on the wall, the Irish sounding name, and lots of beer…which makes it like every other pub except the name and the clovers. Willie Herath is the other LA staple, the local guy with a band that does 'beach rock', that is music that makes you feel like it is always summer and you are always at the beach. Since we were in the holds of an October heat wave, we didn't have to admit quite yet that summer was over, so Willie Herath was the perfect backdrop to our eternal sense of denial that there is any reality other than the endless summer LA Utopia. Laced with some squealing guitars the set builds from ballads to spiky rockers. The band hit the stage and filled the club with their healthy following. They definitely win the 'best band with a member playing his neck like an instrument award'! They connected best when the band hits their rock side in songs like 'Dig it On'. They started with Willie's heart throbber radio hit, 'Come Home'. 'Something's Broken' grabbed the room like a 311 level ballad with tension and highlighted by sparkling bright harmonies. 'Electric Sun' started out with silky slide guitar as relaxed and happy as a summer day, then gets kind of slap rap happy. A whimsical lullaby to jumpstart any beach picnic, 'Sticky Flip Flop' might be their messiest rocker, about toe blood oozing over sandy sandals from a beach fight, and their first rock radio hit.  The jam rock hooks compliment a clever chorus.  A slight sense of psychedelia kicks in while the bongos bang with a boasting beat.  With vocals reminiscent of surf jam giant Jack Johnson, this playful ditty sulks with a charm infectious enough to tenderize even the 'Goreist' global warmed year. 'Dig it On' rocked with guitar that will not let your feets stand still! Strong vocals with some Elvis Costello playfulness, one of the best tracks. My only disappointment was them not playing 'Wake Up June' since I just don't hear enough songs written about Junes!

-Rodger Caldwell
 

LA guitarist Rodger Caldwell

has been shooting the action ever since a resourceful high school teacher offered a photo class to him as a last-ditch attempt to keep him from dropping out. Jerry’s pit pix grace such sites as hip-hop and world music's Fly Global Music Culture in the UK.