{"id":16796,"date":"2013-06-12T07:30:48","date_gmt":"2013-06-11T21:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maytherockbewithyou.com\/mtrbwy\/?p=16796"},"modified":"2013-06-11T22:15:20","modified_gmt":"2013-06-11T12:15:20","slug":"the-bellrays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maytherockbewithyou.com\/mtrbwy\/2013\/06\/the-bellrays\/","title":{"rendered":"the BellRays"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n<\/a>From Tour press release: Blues is the teacher. Punk is the preacher. With a band like the BellRays it\u2019s all about emotion and energy, experience and raw talent, spirit and intellect. Exciting things happen when these things collide. And Australian audiences are about to witness all the above things when the BellRays return this June for a 5-date tour.<\/p>\n

Bob and Lisa made the BellRays happen in 1991. They wanted to play music and they wanted it to feel good. They wanted people to WANT to get up, to NEED to get up and check out what was going on. So they took everything they knew about; the Beatles, \u00a0Stevie Wonder, the Who, the Ramones, Billie Holiday, Lou Rawls, Hank Williams, the DB\u2019s, Jimmy Reed, Led Zeppelin (to name a very few) and pressed it into service.<\/p>\n

It was never about coming up with a \u2018sound\u2019, or fitting in with a scene. It was about the energy that made all that music so irresistible. It was the history BEFORE Led Zeppelin that led them to that point. The Beatles thought they were playing R&B. It just came out like \u2018Rubber Soul\u2019. The Ramones were trying to be Del Shannon or Neil Sedaka and out came \u2018Rocket to Russia\u2019.<\/p>\n

With the BellRays there was no conscious effort to \u2018combine\u2019 rock and soul because they didn\u2019t see them as divided in the first place. Blues was teaching. Punk was preaching. The BellRays were always listening.<\/p>\n

We had lead vocalist Lisa Kekaula from the BellRays answer some questions for us as they began their Australian tour. Check them out.<\/p>\n

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions for us, Lisa. Now, for those here in Australia that haven\u2019t heard of the BellRays before, can you give us say five words that you think sum up the band sonically\u2026<\/strong>
\nHigh energy rock and roll<\/p>\n

So just how did you come up with the blend of musical genres that musically became BellRays sound? \u00a0<\/strong>
\nIt was not a conscious effort and was quite organic. We simply started to play what we play naturally. Our allegiance was to the songs.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re heading back to Australia in June for some shows, give us an idea of what a typical BellRays show involves, and what can people expect if they come out and catch one of your shows?<\/strong>
\nSince we come to the stage bringing it all, if you are in the audience you can expect to be called out. We expect to put on a show and we expect the audience to participate.<\/p>\n

With a back catalogue now of fourteen albums, how do you put together a BellRays set these days?<\/strong>
\nWe do what feels good to play. We play songs from other CD\u2019s as we see fit. We\u2019ve never had a \u201chit\u201d and because of that there are no real expectations in that regard. We\u2019ve always done what feels good.<\/p>\n

Being here before, do you have any memories of a previous trip you can share with us?<\/strong>
\nWe love Anzac cookies and that has been all Bob and i have been thinking about.<\/p>\n

Your newest single \u2018On Top\u2019 has just been released in Australia, and is as rockin\u2019 as it gets\u2026 is there a story or inspiration behind this one that you can share with us?<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s about what people are willing to trade for fame.\u00a0 In a reality tv culture where people are ready to do whatever for \u201c15 minutes of fame\u201d without the blink of an eye or being culturally shamed for behaving badly. We\u2019ve gotten to a point where being ill mannered is a badge of honor.<\/p>\n

With \u2018Black Lightning\u2019 out for some time but now getting released in Australia before the tour, have you been working on new material that we may get to hear sooner rather than later?<\/strong>
\nYes we have been working on a new record. \u201cBlack Lightning\u201d is really enough for Australia to chew on at the moment. Don\u2019t be greedy.<\/p>\n

Lisa, many would know you from the Basement Jaxx \u2018Good Luck\u2019 single, how did that help exposure wise for you and the band?<\/strong>
\nWell people here know me and some know the band. I\u2019ve never had a \u201cmachine\u201d of any kind behind me and talent really isn\u2019t enough make people take notice. That is just the truth of the matter.<\/p>\n

There have been a few line-up changes over the years and you\u2019ve gone through more drummers than Spinal Tap, do you feel that this current incarnation of BellRays exactly where it needs to be?<\/strong>
\nThe BellRays are really good with these guys and we like them and they like us. We wrote \u201cBlack Lightning\u201d with them in mind.<\/p>\n

At over twenty years as a band now, is there still anything left to do that you haven\u2019t done?<\/strong>
\nGet rich or die tryin\u2019<\/p>\n

What does the rest of 2013 have in store for BellRays?<\/strong>
\nFinishing work on the new release.<\/p>\n

Lastly, do you have a message for your Australian fans?<\/strong>
\nMAY THE ROCK BE WITH YOU!<\/p>\n

Essential information<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From: <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Riverside, CA, USA<\/p>\n

Check them out if you like: <\/strong>Punk, Rock & Soul<\/p>\n

Band members:<\/strong> Lisa Kekaula, Vocals, Robert Vennum, Guitar, Justin Andres, Bass, Stefan Litronik, Drums<\/p>\n

Website:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.thebellrays.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Latest release:<\/strong> Black Lightning (Sultan Sounds \/ MGM)<\/p>\n

Catch the BellRays on tour in Australia now<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 12th June, 2013
\nCorner Hotel,\u00a0MELBOURNE<\/strong>\u00a0– VIC
\nTICKETS: $40.00 + bf from\u00a0corherhotel.com<\/a>,\u00a0oztix.com.au<\/a>
\nor in person at the Venue and Oztix outlets<\/p>\n

Thursday 13th June, 2013
\nThe Hi-Fi,\u00a0BRISBANE<\/strong>\u00a0– QLD
\nTICKETS: $35.00 + bf from\u00a0thehifi.com.au<\/a>
\nphone 1300 THE HIFI or in person at all Oztix outlets.<\/p>\n

Friday 14th June, 2013
\nThe Manning Bar,\u00a0SYDNEY<\/strong>\u00a0– NSW
\nTICKETS: $40.00 + bf from\u00a0www.manningbar.com<\/a>
\nphone 1300 762 545 or in person at all Oztix outlets.<\/p>\n

Saturday 15th June, 2013
\nCoolangatta Hotel,\u00a0GOLD COAST<\/strong>\u00a0– QLD
\nTICKETS: $27.00 + bf from oztix\u00a0www.oztix.com.au<\/a>
\nphone 1300 762 545 or in person at all Oztix outlets.<\/p>\n\n

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