Uwishunu.com

Tweet

 

Photo by Michelle Lawlor

I probably should have been born in England, given my thing for British accents. Nothing makes me swoon like a hearty “Cheers Mate!” and I firmly believe rock songs simply sound better when infused with the touch of London (or Manchester, or Brighton, or Liverpool, or even Whales.)

That being said, I suppose I was predisposed towards Philly-based blues rockers the Absolute Zeros, whose lead singer Kelvin Cochrane (note: Absolute Zero = 0 degrees Kelvin) was born and raised on the Isle of Wight. A British invasion influence is clear in their music, which combines the rollicking bravado of the Stones or Zeppelin with the wry quirkiness of the Kinks or the Velvets and guitar-wailing of Clapton.

The band members range in age from 21 to 50, resulting in a wide variety of influences and tastes. Describes bassist Steve La Monica, “Our sound is mainly rooted in the classics, but each one of us has separate interests, ranging from old mo-town to jazz to blues to funk to metal, that we bring into the fold as well.”

La Monica himself is formidable on the bass, and percussionist Sabu Rex is a master of the bongos. Throw drummer “Wild” Bill Rose and lead guitarist Austin Madert into the mix, and you have yourself an impressive act, whose history of high-energy, sold-out shows has been winning fans across the city.

Check out the band performing live at Grape Street (RIP) in 2007 and catch them live this Saturday at Doc Watson’s Pub.

The Absolute Zeros at Doc Watson’s Pub, Saturday, July 12
216 S. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-3427
www.drwatsonspub.com