To book RED MEANS GO: Call (509) 398-2664 Or Email: beebemusic@gmail.com
Show review: Red Means Go at Caffe Mela
Posted by Brent Stecker For Wenatchee World
It’s not everyday that a promising young rock act makes it way to Wenatchee. Caffe Mela does a venerable job trying to change that, and more often than not they hit the mark. When the Ellensburg-based Red Means Go took the stage in our favorite local coffeeshop on Saturday, a little bit of that change was made.
I first came across Red Means Go last spring, when I went down to the Mela on a rare Saturday night off. I was surprised to see that the guitarist was Skyler Mehal, a guy who was a couple years behind me in high school in Ephrata. Seeing an old acquaintance there convinced me to give them a chance, but the music kept me there. So, when I heard they were going to be back on Saturday, I naturally made plans to be there again.
I made the right decision.
Now a five-piece with the addition of rhythm guitarist Markus Hoyer, Red Means Go put on a rip-roarin’ show where they expertly weaved in and out of heavy power-pop and sunnier piano-based pop. The band is currently in the mixing process of their debut album, and all that time in the studio has done them well. The arrangements, some of which were deceptively complex, were executed with precision by the five CWU students.
Fronting the group is the stunning Jazmarae Beebe, whose singing style and piano playing go well beyond her years. She’s blessed with an extraordinary voice that has just the right amount of smokiness, making it very easy to imagine her singing for a jazz trio. Her lyrics are very creative, and she has a knack for enunciating the words in a way that gives new meanings.
Oh, but she’s not the only virtuoso in the band. With a Fender Telecaster in hand, Mehal is like a cross between Jeff Beck and Andy Summers of The Police, mixing hybrid picking techniques with all kinds of on-the-fly knob twiddling. Where as Beebe steals the show on the more poppy affairs like “Sunny Blue Mellow,” Mehal owns the heavier, decending-chord tunes like “Frostbite” and “No Mood For Daisies,” usually pulling out a solo that not only sounds like it should be there, but also has some sort of wow-inducing pyrotechnics that make other guitarists shake their heads.
It was a treat to see the group debut new material on Saturday, as well as pay homage to an obvious influence. Around the bridge section of “Frostbite,” Red Means Go — which is rounded out by hard-hitting drummer Tom Noble and nimble-fingered bassist Janss Woldseth — broke into a shortened but note-perfect solo section from Pink Floyd’s “Money.”
I can’t think of a better way to spend a stormy Saturday night in Wenatchee.
What up Slaughterah? Just droppin' by to let you know my newest cd "The Beast of Bloodshot" is now avialable @ for pre-order @ KillMusick.com! "The Beast of Bloodshot" contains both old and new favorites with special features such as: King Gordy, Con-Crete, Jason Porter, Mars, Shy One and various artists from SKR. Limited Edition only and all pre-orders come with a FREE Bloodshot poster! Thanks for the support! -Bloodshot SKR WILL RISE!
Jaz!!! OMG I haven't talked to you forever! I was actually thinking about you today and I wanted to see what you've been up to! OMG, looks like you've come really far!!! I'm so proud of you and I def. will have to go to one of your shows!!! Aw, I actually added your new song to my profile!! It's so catchy! Keep it up girl!!!
Anyways, just wanted to say hi and that I miss you soooo much! We def. need to have like a reunion in Italy or something! :P I really miss all the crazy stuff we'd get ourselves into! ha ha...
Ok, well let me know how you've been if you're not too busy ok? Come visit me in CA sometime! :P
avec / with : Carbonic, Ray Rumours, John Trap (solo), Gregaldur, Kate Fletcher, Christophe Petchanatz / Klimperei, OoTiskulf, G.W. Sok, GaBLé, Alice, Bacanal Intruder… and a lot of musical toys…..
[[[[[[ CLIQUEZ SUR L’AFFICHE POUR COMMANDER ]]]]]]
Yeah, there's nothing we'd like more. I think our styles would complement each other really well. We'll keep you posted on any shows that might work. And any time you guys need an opener, keep us in mind. :)
