HOUSE OF LORDS / KING KUEL
It’s not often that a local Connecticut venue has the honor of welcoming royalty. This past weekend Bleachers in Bristol hosted an amazing bill of House of Lords and King Kuel.
King Kuel, an upcoming Ct. hard rock band, opened with “Round And Round” from their E.P. The Kings Jewels on Awake Records. From the first note the audience was totally engaged. King Kuel are consument showmen. Their live show is electric. Lead vocalist and guitar player Raymond Wheaton knew how the work the crowd and had great sense of stage presence.
The band consisting of Wheaton, William (Billy) Yager (Lead guitar/vocals), C.J.(Bass/vocals) and Fran Mynahan(Drums) played all the originals from The Kings Jewels during the first half of their set. “Indestructible” and “Lie To Me” were definite standouts with the crowd soaking up King Kuel’s manic energy. Yager and C.J. criss-crossed the stage with ease and the throng ate up their good time feel.
For the second half of their set King Kuel played well suited covers that perfectly fit their persona. Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey” and BOC’s “Godzilla” cranked. “Sin City” was an excellent ending.
King Kuel is an ensemble to watch.
House of Lords needs no introduction. With a total of eleven albums and multiple charted singles HOL are a rock institution. Established in 1998 and immediately signed to Gene Simmon’s custom label, Simmons Records, the band was destined for success.
With their first record released in 1998, House of Lords, and the last issued last year, Saint of the Lost Souls, the band had a wealth of material to draw from. They performed all their chart toppers and fan favorites.
As soon as House of Lords hit the stage the whole aura of the venue changed. The gathered souls knew they were in for something special. The whole room was uplifted. When James Christian, the last original member, began to sing everyone was amazed with the power of his voice. His vocals were crisp and sharp. They opened with “Sahara” and then straight into “Pleasure Palace”
Jimi Bell’s guitar was extraordinary. The man is a beast on his instrument. He enthralled the audience with his speed and precision.
By the time the band hit “Go To Hell” the horde in the club was fired up. B.J. Zampa’s drums were definitive and bold. Later in the set during his drum solo Zampa played his heart out to everyone’s delight.
The hits kept coming. “Love Don’t Lie” followed by “Battle” and “Cartesian Dreams”. Chris Tristram’s, the newest member of HOL, bass was always solid. His sound was pure and his attitude flawless.
When Christian started to sing “Can’t Find My Way Home” ,their Blind Faith cover, the audience knew they in for a treat. His vocalization was spotless and the band was impeccable. They then went into “I Wanna Be Loved” their first big song.
After an blistering guitar solo by Bell , House of Lords ended the night on a high note. “Slip of the Tongue” and “Big Money” rounded out the show.
It was a truly royal evening.
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