Blues and lasers
Encyclopedia
Blues and Lasers is an American
delta blues
rock
band from Burlington, Vermont
.
, added fellow Nocturnals Matt Burr (drums) and Bryan Dondero (bass) along with college friend Steve Sharon (drums) to form the band. The addition of Benny Yurco (guitar and vocals) finished out the lineup (Yurco later joined Grace Potter and the Nocturnals as well). In 2009 Bryan Dondero left the band and was replaced with John Rogone. The name Blues and Lasers came from a daylong jam session that sounded like blues with lasers.
In 2008 Blues and Lasers released a self-titled EP. Blues and Lasers was recorded at Club Metronome in Burlington over a two day period. After recording, the band went to the studio to mix the album. It resulted in a 5 song, 40 minute “monster.” Reviews stated that the album “joyously resurrects the blues-based rock and roll that populated AOR radio in the Seventies. The songs have a juju swagger; birthed from tortured blues singers who had haunted souls and bad intentions the back door men who had hell hounds on their trail.”
In 2010 Blues and Lasers released their second record, After All We’re Only Human, which was recorded at Tank Studios in Burlington. Tournet stated that the approach to recording the album was dictated by time and money. “We did two days of basic tracks last summer where we tracked all nine songs. Once we had played a couple more shows, we took the money we’d earned and went in to begin completing the tracks. We pretty much went tune by tune until it was almost complete.” After release, the record was praised as needing “no qualification and finds few equals.” Other reviews said that “By having an ear attuned to the greats of the past, B&L gloriously usher classic rock and roll into the next decade. After All We’re Only Human lets the world know that the art of creating an album hasn’t been lost in the age of the 99 cent download. This is the classic rock record of the year.” Another said “Blues & Lasers have the right instincts to know how to say their piece‚ vocally and instrumentally‚ then move on. So the nine cuts are over before you know it and beg to be played right over again‚ If there's anything more infectious than a pop hook‚ it's a well-crafted guitar riff and After All is full of 'em.”
Since three of the bands’ members are also in Grace Potter and the Nocturnals a lot of what goes into Blues and Lasers has to be built around the GPN schedule, including recording and concerts. Blues and Lasers, however, still have been able to make a name for themselves, often opening for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Live shows are where Blues and Lasers can excel, showing off the power that comes with having two lead guitarists and two drummers. It is where they can show that “they have mastered the kind of fiery, blues that speaks to the scorned and jaded lover that in this day and age resides somewhere inside everybody.”
to Wilco
to Muddy Waters
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
delta blues
Delta blues
The Delta blues is one of the earliest styles of blues music. It originated in the Mississippi Delta, a region of the United States that stretches from Memphis, Tennessee in the north to Vicksburg, Mississippi in the south, Helena, Arkansas in the west to the Yazoo River on the east. The...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band from Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
.
Career
Blues and Lasers formed in 2007 in Burlington, Vermont out of The Scott Tournet Band. Scott Tournet set out to create another band with a Delta blues and classic rock sound. Tournet (guitar and vocals), who is also the guitarist for Grace Potter and the NocturnalsGrace Potter and the Nocturnals
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is an American rock band from Waitsfield, Vermont.-Career:Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' lead vocalist is multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter, who attended St. Lawrence University for two years before pursuing music professionally...
, added fellow Nocturnals Matt Burr (drums) and Bryan Dondero (bass) along with college friend Steve Sharon (drums) to form the band. The addition of Benny Yurco (guitar and vocals) finished out the lineup (Yurco later joined Grace Potter and the Nocturnals as well). In 2009 Bryan Dondero left the band and was replaced with John Rogone. The name Blues and Lasers came from a daylong jam session that sounded like blues with lasers.
In 2008 Blues and Lasers released a self-titled EP. Blues and Lasers was recorded at Club Metronome in Burlington over a two day period. After recording, the band went to the studio to mix the album. It resulted in a 5 song, 40 minute “monster.” Reviews stated that the album “joyously resurrects the blues-based rock and roll that populated AOR radio in the Seventies. The songs have a juju swagger; birthed from tortured blues singers who had haunted souls and bad intentions the back door men who had hell hounds on their trail.”
In 2010 Blues and Lasers released their second record, After All We’re Only Human, which was recorded at Tank Studios in Burlington. Tournet stated that the approach to recording the album was dictated by time and money. “We did two days of basic tracks last summer where we tracked all nine songs. Once we had played a couple more shows, we took the money we’d earned and went in to begin completing the tracks. We pretty much went tune by tune until it was almost complete.” After release, the record was praised as needing “no qualification and finds few equals.” Other reviews said that “By having an ear attuned to the greats of the past, B&L gloriously usher classic rock and roll into the next decade. After All We’re Only Human lets the world know that the art of creating an album hasn’t been lost in the age of the 99 cent download. This is the classic rock record of the year.” Another said “Blues & Lasers have the right instincts to know how to say their piece‚ vocally and instrumentally‚ then move on. So the nine cuts are over before you know it and beg to be played right over again‚ If there's anything more infectious than a pop hook‚ it's a well-crafted guitar riff and After All is full of 'em.”
Since three of the bands’ members are also in Grace Potter and the Nocturnals a lot of what goes into Blues and Lasers has to be built around the GPN schedule, including recording and concerts. Blues and Lasers, however, still have been able to make a name for themselves, often opening for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Live shows are where Blues and Lasers can excel, showing off the power that comes with having two lead guitarists and two drummers. It is where they can show that “they have mastered the kind of fiery, blues that speaks to the scorned and jaded lover that in this day and age resides somewhere inside everybody.”
Musical Style
The sound of Blues and Lasers is rooted in the past, but is still able to draw from more modern influences for a classic, but distinctive sound. According to Tournet Blues and Lasers “wanted something heavier, bluesier, and riskier, the force of Led Zeppelin, the swampy groove of the Delta blues, the guitars of the late '60's and '70's, juxtaposed with the sounds of our generation... like blips and bleeps and weird noises and feedback swirling around.” Cited influences range from Crazy HorseCrazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
to Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
to Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
.
External links
- Blues and Lasers collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive