Oasis Lanes/Frankie's Bar & Grill
4/21/05
The Band:
Michelle Flores - Vocals, Percussion
Linda Russ - Vocals, Percussion
Bobby Silva - Bass
Albert Vallejo - Drums
Randy Russ - Guitar
Russ T. Nail, a band featuring the mom and pop of the lead singer, plays pop classics with excellent sound and nice individual musicianship, if a bit mundanely.
I could see this band ten times a year, partly because the music is pleasant, partly because I appreciate the individual musicians, but also because they don't really challenge the listener. They don't do time or speed changes, although they do a few stops. There aren't any fancy chord progressions. Still, I really like them. If I close my eyes, listening to Russ T. Nail kind of reminds me of a live 70's pop album. Maybe Linda Ronstadt, up until she first became big-time.
Michelle, the lead singer, is excellent. At first, it seemed like Russ T. Nail was playing a lot of chick-singer songs, but they really weren't. She has nice projection, and a surprisingly-pleasant talking voice.
Randy Russ is one of the most listenable guitarists in town, particularly because he gets great sound out of each note. I find it amusing that this is a rare ability among local guitar players, but it is. He plays all his vibrato, which is pretty decent, with his first finger. This is common, if unnecessary. He also has a very nice stage sense of humor.
The other band members are all pretty good, individually. I especially noticed the bass player, Bobby Silva, which is unusual, but I suspect that the type of music and the cleanness of the sound has a lot to do with that.
At one point, during a one-minute drum solo, Silva nonchalantly unplugged his bass, walked his instrument and cord up to the bar, got a drink, walked back and plugged back in. I guess these guys have been playing together for a while.
They also projected some weird graphics onto a screen behind the band. Maybe it's supposed to remind someone of being on acid. I remember having toys as a child that did about the same thing. Andy Quintana, one of the managers of Frankie's, liked it, though. I'd've probably rather had a G.I. Joe to play with during the show. Or maybe a Barbie, with those rock-hard boobs.
Songs included Ray Charles' Unchain my heart, Pat Benatar's chick-singer favorite, Hit me with your best shot, Day Tripper, and Foghat's I just wanna make love to you. I enjoy hearing anybody play Foghat, an obscure band at this point, but then, I'd also like to hear somebody play Eddie Cantor. On Superstition, Randy Russ used one of those Peter Frampton talk boxes. Different, at least.
If you want to see nice, pleasant, well-played pop classics, and this band is playing nearby, go see them.
- Charles Hurley
