It is true that at one time, not too long ago, to see a great rock and roll band,or any band in the Tri State area one had to be in or travel to NYC. Not so these days.I am not going to give a list of all of the great new clubs opening up in the suburbs of NY,but I will mention one as it pertains to this review . Last evening I drove down numerous back roads and over the hills to the Winery at St George in Mohegan Lake NY; and it was well worth the drive..After miles of nothing but darkness, like an apparition the Winery (formerly a church well over a hundred years old) came into view and really blew my mind. The old stone work and the doors would give an ominous feel if not for all of the brilliant lighting.
Enter , I see a sinewy figure at the far end of the club on stage. She has platinum locks, eyes as blue as Robin’s egg’s, wearing black fishnets and a super cute outfit with killer boots; plugging in her guitar to get ready for the sound check. This is Sue Sed , lead vocalist ,rhythm guitarist and incredibly talented songwriter, for the SUSAN SAID BAND. Next to her is Matt Rocciho ,a bass player to rival J.P.Jones. With lead guitarist Brendan Saadat , who is not your typical shredder, and with the help of drummer Adam Accetta , their sound balanced so well with Sue’s vocals , if you closed your eyes you would feel like you were in MSG!
They opened with ‘Big Life’, also the name of their latest CD. I was really anxious to hear the new songs, as I loved their last CD Polyvinylchloride. ‘Big Life’ ,the song and recording are ‘bigger than life’, followed by one gem after another. My two personal favorites on the new CD are ‘I Just Don’t Care’, which is also the tune and title of their new video on You Tube and Vimeo. The other is ‘Car’, the hook is so catchy it really does make u wanna ‘Get In Your Car /And Drive Awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!’ But, not without the CD !!! ( available on CD Baby).
So, who says great bands only play NYC? This band is not only great musically , but they put on such an uplifting show even the biggest grouch ( that would be me) could not stop smiling and singing along.
I give this show a grade A.