In a world of bands that are lazily described as Band A meets Band B with Band C influences, The RedLights is a band that actually creates an interesting juxtaposition of established genres, while being its own unique entity.
The ska influences are obvious, but so is the hard edge of punk. Tight, off-beat rhythms combined with the beloved sensation of watching a small-framed blonde open her mouth to reveal a full-bodied alto make for an exciting live show.
The project started two years ago when guitarist/vocalist Lawrence Kole was fooling around with demos. He recruited keys player Eric Abbey to help him out, and the dub punk demos they created were a pleasant surprise to Kole himself, and the people he played them for.
| The RedLights
Album: Control
Genre: Dub Punk Sounds Like: The Suicide Machines, Gogol Bordello, Dead Kennedys, Rancid
Upcoming Shows:
The RedLights CD Release wsg Loudmouth and Cain Marco
Sept. 3, 9 p.m., 21+ Jukes, Grand Rapids
myspace.com/redlightofficial –Free!–
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"There was actually some demand to bring it out live, so I put a band together around [the songs] and it's been going very well," Kole said.
Kole selected bassist Ryan Glew from a previous shared band experience with hardcore act The Jobbers. Drummer Ahmed Arfeen formerly played with The Offbeats, another ska outfit, and Kole found lead vocalist Bekuh from another band, Shotgun Sally, after coming across the group's Myspace.
"I heard her voice and I knew I had to have her involved," Kole said.
Jessica Atteberry, whose role is described by Kole as "strings and things," is also a member.
The band's sound is full and upbeat, and the lyrics are worth listening to. Kole shares lyric-writing duties with Bekuh, but when it comes to his pen, he splits the personal with the punk.
"Half of the songs are basically about my life and the things I've been through," Kole said, "and the other half has a political tinge to it. Not so much antigovernment; it's more about being aware of what's around you.
"If the government was your mother's ***, wouldn't you say that you don't need it?" is a pretty good example ... maybe.
The RedLights release its first studio LP, Control on Sept. 3 at Jukes Bar. Recorded at Cold War Studios by Mustard Plug's Rick Johnson and mastered by Mass Giogini, the album will be the tangible form of RedLights' message. This message being:
"The world is full of a bunch of s**t, but at some point you just need to take a breath and realize you don't need to focus on the bad stuff," Kole said. "There's good stuff out there."
Photo: Nicole Brimmy Spess
