Photo by: Connie Mierkey
Band introduces new tunes to eager fans
Connie Mierkey
Clarion reporter
The Canadian band Hot Hot Heat and company rocked the small stage at the Gothic Theatre last week.
The opening band, De Novo Dahl, lacked the following that Hot Hot Heat brought to the show, but encouraged the crowd to get up and dance to its catchy songs. The band members also wore custom-made, colorful, sequined suits. De Novo Dahl, originally from Nashville, added flair to the line up with female vocalist and percussionist Serai Zaffiro.
Bedouin Soundclash followed De Novo Dahl and brought a very different feel to the show. The reggae-rock group belted heartfelt lyrics and thumping bass beats that fans came from Colorado and other states to enjoy. It was obvious that the band was greatly influenced by some notable reggae masters. Jay Malinowski (guitar/vocals) even played a guitar with many of reggae’s most famous faces on it. Bedouin Soundclash performed new songs like “Walls Fall Down” from the band’s newest album Street Gospels.
By the time Hot Hot Heat was ready to play, the small venue was filled with fans standing shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to rock to their favorite songs. The crowd sang every word to Hot Hot Heat’s opening song “Let Me In” from the group’s most recent album Happiness Ltd. Fans also enjoyed hearing older hits like “Goodnight, Goodnight” and “Middle of Nowhere” while lead vocalist, Steve Bays encouraged the crowd to sing along. Hot Hot Heat performed “Harmonicas and Tambourines,” the album title track, “Happiness Ltd.,” and “My Best Fiend” from the new album as well. Although, the crowd was not as familiar with the newer songs, the band’s energy was enough to get fans waving their arms and dancing along.
Fans crowded the waist-high stage to touch, sing to and try catch Hot Hot Heat’s Bays’ attention. Bays, who also played keys, filled the stage with his diva-like performance style. Although his keyboard was set center stage, throughout the performance Bays could be seen singing to fans stage right and left, and at times even reached out to give a high-five or pose for a picture.
Although Bays had a uniquely energetic performance style, the rest of the band captivated the audience as well. Guitarist Luke Paquin, bassist Dustin Hawthorne, and drummer Paul Hawley, easily matched Bays’ powerful performance. Paquin and Hawthorne were spotlighted during solos and drummer Hawley could be seen rocking to a steady beat on his drum set, emblazoned with the Hot Hot Heat logo.
At the end of the show, the crowd roared for an encore, and of course, Hot Hot Heat returned to play with the same energy displayed in the very first number. Although Hot Hot Heat has an indie-rock background, its dance-worthy beats and off-the-wall lyrics keep fans wanting more.
