Cole Gallagher & The Lesser Saints The Viper Room, West Hollywood, CA January 14, 2022
Review by Ken Morton - Photo by Jack Lue The first time this reviewer saw Cole Gallagher was opening for The Plain White T’s at The Canyon Club in Augora Hills. Now making his way to the notorious Viper Room on the Sunset Strip, Cole Gallagher and his band The Lesser Saints presented a star making performance on a Friday night. Opening with the rocking refrains of Lines In The Sky, Gallagher and company gained the attention of The Viper Room early arrivals at once with their vibrantly memorable songs. Cole Gallagher is a massively talented singer / songwriter first and foremost, his easy going stage presence, persuasive acoustic guitar playing, and exhilarating vocals leaving an indelible impression. And what a thrilling band Gallagher has with The Lesser Saints! Evan Denisiu is a standout on lead guitar, and can really shred it into the stratosphere when unleashing a solo. Jared Rodriguez presented a whole lot of imagination with his glorious keyboard interludes. And I have to say The Lesser Saints’ rhythm section is tight and slamming, courtesy of Mars Horner on bass and Nick Anoci on drums. One of the highlights of the show was Chatting Through Steel, Cole Gallagher’s recent single, whose moody refrains reverberated throughout The Viper Room. Cole’s debut single Smoking Gun was also unveiled, with it’s blistering lyrics, searing melodies and super infectious “la-da-dah” choruses reigning supreme. And one thing for sure, Cole Gallagher & The Lesser Saints really know how place their own imaginative stamp on cover songs. Watching Cole and his crew channel Nirvana in a seething version of About A Girl was wondrous to behold. Towards the end, extra time was tacked onto their set, so Cole Gallagher & The Lesser Souls unleashed an absolutely fiery rendition of Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynrd, sent into the stratosphere by brilliant vocals, absolutely mesmorzing guitar solos, hypnotic keys, and a rhythm section that kicked ass and left you wanting a whole lot more! With a show this dynamic, it will be exciting to see and hear what the future has in store for Cole Gallagher & The Lesser Saints. Stay tuned!
www.instagram.com/colegallaghermusic/ HIGHWIRE DAZE
January/February 2022
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