Red and the Eds: a reviewBy Amelia Rand
There was sweat dripping from the ceiling. Bodies bumped into more bodies and perspiration flowed as fast as the music. A house show turned into a full-blown dance party. Hands waved in the air and shouts echoed over the tops of bobbing heads.
The band responsible for the chaotic gyrations: Red and the Eds. Three guys, one bass, one drumset, one guitar, and the occasional tinkling from an electric keyboard produce the foot-stomping music. The inspirational roots of Red and the Eds explain their unique and intriguing sound. From Black Sabbath and The Who to the Pixies and Operation Ivy, Red and the Eds combines heavy metal and classic rock ‘n’ roll with an alternative ska/punk twist.
Ed Hall fronts the band with a penetrating and, at times, haunting voice while skillfully wailing on his guitar and keyboard. Josh Elvidge stands as the fast-fingered bassist with mystique. Finally, Jeff Keyser provides the foundation for the music with his undeniable talent at laying down the beats that get people moving.
Their flavorful song elicit different emotions and keep their audience wanting more. When the familiar strumming of “Drink With Your Mother†comes through the amplifier the crowd prepares for the Irish-inspired sing-a-long, wrapping their arms around those standing next to them. The people sway back and forth, belting the unforgettable chorus to a song that unites the band with the audience. “Banana Rama†begins with a classic grunge guitar sound and settles into a song designed to showcase the band’s instrumental talent and pure jamband side. Void of lyrical clutter, “Banana Rama†uses change in time signature gracefully with a spotlight on Mr. Elvidge’s mastery of bass guitar. While the members of Red and the Eds work together to create their music, Ed Hall scribbles their lyrics on pieces of paper, working and reworking the words that eventually burst through the microphone. Their songs tell stories, describe universal worries, and shine a light on pressing social issues. Of course, the band keeps songs like “Mexicana†in their back pocket to liven the crowd, make listeners laugh, and melt the hearts of all the wide-eyed females. “Mexicana†also features the bilingual styling of the band’s lead singer.
The threesome have been friends longer than bandmates and their cohesiveness is apparent when they perform. Their smiles and energy are blinding, and even at the smallest venues the crowd is usually three or four people deep. The applause is endless. Red and The Eds, a local band to Iowa City, have a large and faithful following that continues to grow with each performance. While these boys still dream of large-scale success and jam sessions with their idols, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Red and the Eds on the cover of a magazine with Ed biting the head off of some small winged creature.Two enthusiastic thumbs up.
