By Jesse Lynch
Typically, if you play in band, the last thing you want to hear after someone hears your music is, “Wow. You guys sound exactly like (fill in band name here).” Upon hearing that phrase said person in band will start a rapid fire verbal assault about their originality, musical genius and how you just don’t get it.
That is, unless they play in a tribute band. In a tribute band, the entire goal is to sound as much like the band you are modeling as possible. Some are shockingly good at it. Others, like half of the 3,000,000 Ozzy tribute bands out there, are so horrid that a yapping Pomeranian shoved muzzle first into the ear is preferable. Straight On, a Heart tribute band from Seattle, falls firmly into the first category. In fact, I would be willing to bet someone else’s money that Ann and Nancy would fall into a fit of jealousy upon hearing them. Well maybe not but they really are that good.
So what makes them sound so good? Well, I could go on about the rock solid rhythm section or the spacious guitar playing or even the tasteful and fluid leads. All of these bits are in abundance. The instrumentalists in Straight On are obviously a talented bunch. But this is a tribute to Heart, so the vocals make or break the band. And believe me when I tell you that with Somar at the helm, there is no doubt about this band making it. She tackles the extremely difficult task of emulating a powerful and gifted singer like Ann Wilson and makes it seem effortless. She hits the gritty lows and the angelic highs with such conviction that you physically feel it. Straight On performs an acoustic version of “Alone” that gave me goose bumps, even after the third listen.
Basically, if you are a Heart fan it is essential that you witness Straight On. If you aren’t a Heart fan, it is still essential. It’s just good music. Period.
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