Binnae Bridwell
Any band can have great musicians who pour their heart into the music. Any person can step on stage and play a tune. However, in order for a band to be remembered they must do one thing: make you tap your feet.On Friday night, at the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, a band did just that. The group, named Kevin Colis, named after their lead singer and guitarist, swept the venue with soothing cords and funk-filled drum beats. The band also includes Pierce College student, Dylan Cronin.Even with technical difficulties, the band members showed their true love for music.The group opened their 30-minute act with a blazing funk-inspired song, titled “Locked Down.” The song began with a fast pluck of guitar strings, played by lead singer Kevin Colis. The sound was a true lovechild of blues and funk. Colis’s voice carried well and delivered catchy hooks like, “I can see you in there, can you come out to play?”The emotion behind his voice sounded raw and unrehearsed, convincing the audience he felt the lyrics and wasn’t just repeating them. However, it wasn’t that long through the first song when the electric guitar he played began to cut out. Instead of stopping the song, he simply picked up an acoustic guitar and played on.The song was just as polished even with a guitar that was tuned higher than the rest of his band.Their second song, titled “Fear,” was a dramatic departure from the fast pace of “Locked Down,” It was much slower, something that could be played in hazy clubs filled with cigarette smoke and low light. Again though, Colis’s guitar began to cut out and he was forced to carry on with just his voice. The rest of the band adjusted well to the change, with the keyboard player leading the melody.Kevin Colis is truly an eclectic group and refuses to be restrained by musical labels. This is demonstrated when they introduce the mandolin, played by Cronin.The mandolin is an eight-string, guitar-like instrument. The addition of the instrument added a Hispanic touch to their later songs.The group is composed of a drummer, bass player, guitar, mandolinist and keyboardist.Even though at some points the mandolin struggled to catch up with the tempo of certain songs, it was hardly noticeable. This is only Colis’s third show playing together and, judging by their performance at the House of Blues; the five-man band has nowhere to go but up.Rating: B