Pela Rocks It

Great show at the Mercury Lounge last night. Pela showed up all fired up and ready to try out tons of songs from their upcoming album. They sprinkled in standards like "Tenement Teeth", "Waiting on the Stairs" and "Good Foot on a Bad Doorstep", and brought the house down with a rambunctious recital of the title track from the new album (I don't remember the name offhand ... something about rising tides). Pela definitely was influenced by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, and I heard a little Hold Steady (which itself is a major Bruce knock-off), but they can also bring it down a notch with some great acoustic sets, and some major indie rock cred. (My guys and gals at KEXP are big fans). The new horn player - Handsome Bill - was a great addition that brought a new richness to the songs. The lead singer, Billy McCarthy, ain't so hard on the eyes either. An easy manner -- B thought he looked like Colin Farrel, I thought he looked like a retired QB-cum-sportcaster. Either way, they brought it. Enjoy the tunes.