Pressure 4-5, Audiovent & Handsome Devil

Manned by four white boys — three brunettes and one tie-wearing spikey-haired blond — Handsome Devil is the latest band to emerge out of the Orange County music scene. Complete with three heavy metal guitars, hard rock drumming and fist-pumping anthems these boys hammered out punk energy in its truest form. Playing original tracks and doing an awesome cover of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds,” the show was an energy extravaganza of punky hard-edge music much needed to put the respect of punk rock back on the scene after posers like Blink 182 put the pop in punk and left the scene with a bad name. Although much of the young audience had never heard of Handsome Devil, that didn’t stop them from creating sheer pandemonium for the kids, walking away with a few new fans at the least.
To truly appreciate Audiovent, the next band, you absolutely must see them live. Granted, while their upcoming sophomore release Dirty Sexy Nights in Paris is something to write home about, their live performance absolutely takes the cake. From the moment they graced the stage it was sheer delight. Starting from the back is drummer Jamin Wilcox who has the intensity and dexterity of a drummer sent from heaven. Paul Fried took the background position as many bassists do, his own resonance and shyness typifying that of the great John Paul Jones. Ben Einziger dominated his side of the stage with his nimble fingers strumming away at his six-string with his jovial smile embodying the fun spirit deep within. Lastly, frontman Jason Boyd who controlled the stage, albeit not in a domineering machismo way, concluded the synchronization with his vocal depth and ingenuity. He has the lanky, emotional stage presence of a Robert Plant / Chris Robinson crossbreed, the beauty and sexiness of Jim Morrison and the voice of an angel.
Lastly was Pressure 4-5, a band who has doubled their aggressive sound, raw energy and great stage charisma since previously visiting Chico. Their determination to get the crowd jumping, wailing and thrashing was apparent and highly respected by the audience who ate up all that they dished out. Here are four exceedingly talented musicians whose variety of interests and style produces a sonic approach of energy and savage intensity, with no song ever sounding like the last. I believe it is impossible for another band to exude more energy, blood, sweat and tears than these Santa Barbara boys. Capturing the band’s fearless attitude by tackling themes of personal loss and nonconformity, they leave an indelible imprint on their fans, remaining consistent in delivering rock-radio staples suitable for all ears.
If you have any chance to witness these bands live, by all means, put one foot in front of the other and haul ass to their shows. In other words, it’s all good.

– Mary Utterback
– photos by Alyssa Starkey

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