By Alan Sperry
Hell’s Belles and Branded Bandits ushered in the spring season by heating things up at Fox Theatre on Friday night. Not everyone gets a Spring Break, but music has a way of putting you in a happy place, especially good music. It might be a temporary fix, but powerful nonetheless.
Based out of Boulder, high-energy Branded Bandits opened the show by playing all the songs on their new EP, Change. Hang Me High was a crowd favorite as were covers of Queens of the Stone Age and Grace Potter. Led by John Demitro on vocals and guitar, Branded Bandits’ hard-rocking sound filled the room. Branded Bandits also had Lulu Demitro on vocals and bass, and Tyler Sanderson on drums. For more information, check their website, http://www.brandedbandits.com.
It’s been a couple of years since Hell’s Belles has played in Boulder and the crowd was ready for some action; the type of action brought on by AC/DC’s all-female tribute band! Led by Amber Saxon on vocals, Hell’s Belles tore up the stage and ripped down the curtains as they gave a lesson on AC/DC songs. They led off with Rock N Roll Train, then went further back with Highway to Hell, and Hell’s Bells and other classics including Problem Child, TNT, Rock & Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution, and Bad Boy Boogie.
Hell’s Belles doesn’t just play music, they entertain to the fullest! Their stage presence captivates the audience and pushes the party by allowing for concertgoers to become part of the show, singing their favorite songs into the mic; especially on Highway to Hell, Shook Me All Night, and Dirty Deeds. It’s a party from start to finish with these ladies.
Adrian Conner engaged the raucous crowd with hot guitar licks, Sharon Needles supported vocals and played guitar, Mandy Reed kept things popping with the bass and backing vocals, and Laura Derig beat the snot out of the drums. They encored the show with Big Balls and Let There Be Rock. Check them out on the road and follow them on their website, http://hellsbelles.info.
