I became a fan of Gorgeous Got A Gun before hearing even one song. Their name alone was enough to get me to check out their free show at Tommy’s Place, the brand new venue located on the University of Southern California campus. Luckily, this Los Angeles quartet is just as slick, unique and dynamic as the band’s name suggests.
Undeterred by a technical difficulty and a less than spectacular turnout, the band ripped into their first song, the aggressively melodious “Violent Games,” with a surprising amount of oomph. Their retro sound was unexpected but very refreshing, making the sophisticated blend of pop, rock, punk and dance indubitably catchy. Think equal parts No Doubt and Tsunami Bomb, plus a dash of Veruca Salt, with a one-of-a-kind element that is distinctly Gorgeous Got a Gun.
The smooth, sweet voice of lead singer Veronica Torres fit perfectly over the urgent instrumentals from bassist Jimi Blaze and guitarist Ernesto Rivas, both energetic and genuinely skilled musicians. Drummer Joshua Zeigler was especially impressive throughout the set, spicing up melodies with powerful, consistent beats.
The majority the setlist was dedicated to playing tracks from their self-released debut album. Every song was well-defined on its own and was completely recognizable from the others, quite a feat for an unsigned indie group. Repetition in the lyrics seemed to be a common factor in several songs but this did not take away from their effectiveness. The echoing lines amped up the stylish intensity of the music, guaranteeing at least one of the songs to be stuck in your head all night long.
Gorgeous Got a Gun has much more of a punk rock heart when playing live. The album versions of the songs have an electronic feel, but the keyboard was largely neglected on stage, which was by no means a poor choice. Focusing more on organic sound helped accentuate exactly how strikingly talented the group really is.
The band’s energy and stage presence never faltered. By the end of their set, even the patrons playing pool in the very back were cheering. They ended on a high note, with a new song to be recorded later in the upcoming months.
The great thing about the band is that they have all the appeal of a radio-ready band, but also exude a rare uniqueness that gives them an edge, especially in their live show element. With so much going for them, they have a very promising future. Any band can have a cool name, but Gorgeous Got a Gun actually has the goods to back it up.
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Photos courtesy of Gorgeous Got a Gun.
Check out Gorgeous Got a Gun online:
http://www.myspace.com/gorgeousgotagun
http://www.facebook.com/gorgeousgotagun
Upcoming show:
Friday, April 1 at the Roxy Theater (Los Angeles, CA)