Savage City

House of Blues, Anaheim

Savage City has opened a number of times for other blues acts at the House of Blues, along with doing at least one headliner performance at an OC Rocks show. I can't really say I've dug them all that much, but the last few times I've seen them they've gotten a hell of a lot more likeable. They do have a great stage presence and a ton of musicians ... seven total in addition to Deanna, the front woman. Counting it up, you've got a bassist, drummer, keyboard player, guitarist, three horn players and a singer. The bunch has a lot of talent to show off and they do it well. My only gripe is I prefer a more gutsy down-and-out nasty sort of blues than the feel-good and be happy blues these guys play. That notwithstanding, they have a good sound and are generally a pleasure to see live. Perhaps given some original material and a style of their own they might be able to go farther, but I don't think they're the type of band to do it. If you're in the mood for some live basic blues and they're in your neck of the woods, stop in a check them out, you won't be disappointed.

Savage City's website can be reached here.