By DJ Tom
New Music Fridays at nOOn
A LOUD Welcome greeted Charly Bliss as they hit the stage June 12 in a packed room at the Loving Touch. “Blown to Bits” was a very fitting opener, because soon we were. The band delivered a SOLID set-list that was tightly executed with VOLUME, spanning their three releases.
They played “Love Me,” from their 7” three-song EP “Soft Serve,” along with “Heaven” and “Ruby,” the pop-grungery of their first album “Guppy.” They then transitioned to the beautiful anthem-like title cut from the current new-wave-accented album “Young Enough.”
Charly Bliss features Eva Hendricks on lyrics, vocals, and guitar, alongside Spencer Fox on lead guitar and vocals. The powerful rhythm section is comprised of Eva’s brother Sam Hendricks on drums and Dan Shure on bass.
A band that has been playing together since high-school days, that have great instincts as musicians at a very young age. You will move at this concert.
Eva is a natural frontwoman, effortlessly commanding attention, delivering her lyrics with great intensity and conviction, easily drawing the audience in. She’s one of new rockʼs most recognizable and inimitable voices. One example of that intensity, is a show stopping performance of “Hurt Me.”
Spencer Foxʼs guitar lead in “Capacity” is such a nod to 80ʼs pop, it blew my mind when I heard it the first time. It was so well done here.
LIVE band that they are, they continued with “Ruby,” “Bleach,” “Camera,” “Heaven,” and “Chatroom” definitely having an ON night. Charly Bliss ROCKED the Loving Touch with the great force required to back and compliment the strength of the songwriting.
After the show the band took the time to hang out and chat with concert-goers. I purchased their awesome gatefold vinyl package for “Young Enough,” on Barsuk Records.
Live this band is definitely something to experience, and a band I will always go see. Where do I place their music in my collection? Right on the shelf with Blondie, Missing Persons, Garbage, the Breeders, and Berlin.
Visit DJ Tom’s social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram to see video clips from the show.
Learn more about Charly Bliss on the band’s website and on Bandcamp, and BE SURE to check out CBTV on YouTube!
