By Lisa Burke
January 16th 2016, Loaded Rock Bar, Hollywood CA: Loaded Rock Bar has been a rapidly growing music venue since it bought out the space next door to the bar just a few years ago. On Saturday January 16th, 2016 it was a night full of rock n’ roll debauchery featuring The Drama as headliners with what was the beginning of their reunion shows, complete with supporting acts Pat Todd And The Rankoutsiders and Turbulent Hearts. I was in and out for the openers as sometimes despite the eminent quality of the rock n’ roll I have trouble keeping focused on some as a live act at this venue especially when a Guns ‘N Roses marathon is being played in the next room to steal away my attention. That said, I’m glad I gave them both a listen, and I recommend them for anyone who likes bluesy rock music.
Loaded has given a voice to many upcoming local acts and certain popular acts a residency as well. The Drama has had such a residency and after a temporary break up all were sad to lose this entertaining act until it was announced that a reunion with a slight line up change would occur. However, shortly after the good news some more bad news was revealed stating that due to landlord rent issues Loaded was going to have to close down the music venue side of the bar at the end of February 2016. I’ve noticed a surge in people who have frequented the music side of the establishment since the news and we all are going to miss it greatly as many venues in this town are closing and not nearly as many new ones of the same caliber are opening. Regardless, Loaded is determined to end the live music section with a bang and has booked some really great last days shows you should definitely check out.
The Drama took the stage somewhere close to midnight and filled the room like they never left. The first oddity you notice about this band is that they mix ’70s, ’80s and ’90s rock n’ roll so you can’t figure out what you are watching or remember what year it is. It does have a Marilyn Manson with Duran Duran and The Beatles vocal vibe, mixed in with a little Black Sabbath and The Beatles guitar and drums influence among other greats. The sound was mixed well as it usually is at this venue and the stage presentation was larger than life. The singer’s androgynous vibe and pure white suit with white shirt was an interesting touch that was later only enhanced with a pure white half mask and then total costume change into sunglasses, tight pants, and a ‘little miss sunshine’ shirt. Before the costume change, of course the best part of this getup was revealed when he suddenly vomited black ‘ink’ all over the front of his white dress shirt in a beautifully creative metaphoric gesture. The retro, clean, charismatic and at times gothic vocals complimented by the energetic guitars, creative bass lines, and vibrant drumming set the meter to the top and captured the hearts of everyone in attendance. ‘Love Song’ was a crowd favorite as was the David Bowie cover of ‘Moonage Daydream’ from the Ziggy Stardust era which was very well executed and a nostalgia for all. Let’s put it this way, I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that while I’d heard of this band I somehow never caught a show in the old days, and now that I have, I’m not going to miss any more. The singer especially gave off such a great vibe also reminiscent to that of the singer of Placebo and carried the presence of a true performer to the extent that I kept thinking that if he had a day job, he should immediately quit, sing on stage every night, and never look back.
Despite the fact that we can’t always keep good venues or good bands or good people in our lives for that matter, we still deserve to fully appreciate them and absorb what we can from these unique experiences until we meet again. Check out The Drama for some undead rock n’ roll fun and please continue to support your local venues so they don’t have to suffer any more tragic impending doom.