Cult 45 at Radio (1/14/13)

This was the CD release show for Cult 45, who were bestowing unto us “On High”, their new collection of hard rock gems. The show was packed and I’m pretty sure that every single person there knew every single other person, which made it seem kind of like an awesome family reunion but without a punch bowl for Uncle Ralph to wear on his head while making inapproriate passes at your sister.

Slim Lizzy, Boston’s own Thin Lizzy cover band, kicked it off in fine fashion. Instead of a black bass-playing Irishman up front, you got the singing drummer. Andy pretty much nailed it on the vocals, and the dual guitar players put on a Gorham/Robertson workshop, nailing the solos with ease. It’s hard to go wrong with a set that included Are You Ready, Bad Reputation, Don’t Believe a Word, Emerald, Rosalie and a bunch of other classic Lizzy songs. Bassist Bob Maloney held down the bottom end in fine Lynott fashion, kicking on the “awesome” pedal a couple of times.

White Dynomite, a new Allston supergroup consisting of members of Roadsaw, Cropduster and Wrecking Crew, tore it up next. Decked out entirely in white (duh), they slammed through a set of short, catchy punk rock. Kind of like if you dropped your bubblegum in your bourbon, said “the hell with it”, and slugged it back anyway. John Darga’s mustache peeled off some tasty solos and lead Dynomiter Dave Unger strutted around the stage like the drunk bastard offspring of Joe Cocker and Iggy Pop. The Riggs/Catz rhythm section held it all together like rock ‘n roll duct tape. Their new album “White Dynomite” is out now, if you like music you should hunt it down.

It had been ten years since Chelsea on Fire played live but you never would have known it. Completely emotional music played with passion and total heart is what they’re all about. Absolutely no irony here, ladies and gentleman. The closest comparison I can possibly even try to come up with would be the original PJ Harvey band, back around the time of “Rid of Me”, but even that doesn’t do them justice. I’m horrible with song titles, but during the last number Josey Packard’s voice left this earthly realm and soared somewhere out into the cosmos, it was a force of nature. Simply stunning. Hopefully there will be some more action from them in the future as there is really no band in Boston that sounds like Chelsea on Fire.

After everyone picked their jaws off the floor, Cult 45 hit the stage running and closed out the night with a solid set of future hard rock classics. Lead singer Tai Heatley has chops for days, she possesses an incredibly powerful and melodic voice, which is needed to keep up with the band. Lead axeman Jeffrey Fultz shredded a few solos, and bassist Bob Maloney and drummer Pepe Anzalone rumbled along, providing the foundation. Their sound isn’t metal, but there’s a little of that in there for sure. A shit-hot cover of “The Mob Rules” leveled the club, and they also do a mean cover of UFO’s “Can You Roll Her”, so those songs should give you a signpost of pretty much where you are with these guys and gal. Their brand new CD “On High” is out now, featuring the top shelf artwork of bassist Maloney. A solid set from start to finish, and a great night all around. Boston’s still got some life in it yet.