Royal Distortion and Budderside at The Whisky

Isis Queen of Royal Distortion

Royal Distortion, Budderside, The Whisky, September 10, 2018

Royal Distortion

The Royal Distortion residency has returned to the world famous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip, continuing to pack in music fans from all over Southern California on a Monday night in Tinseltown. Proving once again why they are the one of the most compelling unsigned bands within the vast and epic Los Angeles music scene, Royal Distortion unveiled a rock solid collection of tunes that certainly tantalized the ears and set the imagination in flight. There was certainly a shirt thief amongst The Whisky attendees, and the entire male membership of Royal Distortion arrived on stage sans top ready to rock it out! Once the music commenced, the one and only Isis Queen would make her way down the down the stairs, and unveil an absolutely dazzling lead vocal presentation.

From the opening refrains of Must We Wait and on, the absolutely ravaging Isis Queen exuded a staggering star quality performance – you just cannot tear your eyes away from the magic and intrigue this bewitching front woman has to offer the world at large. Once you are able to explore the further realms of the Royal Distortion court, you find the shimmering guitar work of Pyn Doll weaving a powerhouse exhibition in auditory persuasiveness. Gabe Maska supplies a pummeling low end on bass, sounding even more effective within the new Whisky A Go Go sound system. And then slamming it all home with slamming professionalism and an infectious smile and positive energy was Kevin Tylor, formerly of Asmara, and now breaking it out big time within the ranks of Royal Distortion.

Featuring two members of the Barb Wire Dolls, Royal Distortion presents edgy, impassioned pop rock and roll whose songs stay within your memory long after the show concludes. Selections such as California Dream, Hole In My Life, and You’re A Mystery should be all over the radio airwaves. And what a vibrant moment in time it was when Royal Distortion burst into the sweeping moments of the crowd pleasing Good Times. Check the Whisky A Go Go schedule for further residency shows, as Royal Distortion is a magnificent experience that music lovers will absolutely want to revisit time and again!

Patrick Stone of Budderside

Budderside

Taking the stage right before the headlining Royal Distortion set was L.A.’s own Budderside, supplying their own dynamic version of hard rock and rage within the hallowed walls of the Whisky A Go Go. Barb Wire Dolls and Budderside both have the distinction of being signed by the legendary Lemmy Kilmister to Motorhead Records – and surely Lemmy’s legacy lives on within the spirit of these two ferociously talented endeavors. Kick starting their set with the powerhouse Wide Awake assault to the senses, Budderside proceeded to tear the roof off the iconic Whisky with a wickedly fierce set of instantly memorable tunes.

One highlight was a superbly imaginative rendition of the Johnny Cash classic Folsom Prison Blues, amped up to 11 with a spiraling intensity that was thunderous to behold. Other selections such as Open Relationship, Ska Bra, and Genocide left a lingering impression as well as the urge to slam it up into the heights of oblivion and back.  Contained within the Budderside membership are fiery performances from Patrick Stone on lead vocals, Michael Stone on bass, Colin Reid in guitar, Sam Bam Koltun on guitar, and Rich Sacco on drums.  By the way, this show at The Whisky was the very first time Budderside has played North America as five piece!

Once the final song Pain was bestowed upon the very enthusiastic Whisky attendees, Budderside had clearly won over the crowd yet again with a live performance that had your fists waiving high in the air and your ears ringing with fiendish glee for the rest of the night. Watch for a brand new Budderside album to be announced very soon – in the meantime, be sure to catch this amazing collective the next time they arrive to devastate the Whisky or any of unsuspecting venue near you!

(Review and Photos by Ken Morton)

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