You know the feeling you get when you throw on a favorite movie from your childhood? You know, the feeling that just makes you all warm and fuzzy inside? You know what I’m talking about? Good. Think of that feeling while you read this.
I have seen The Guilty Party perform three times live as of now, and I can say, without a doubt, they get better each time. I first saw them last year, while they were opening a fundraiser event for Life by Music, a non-profit geared towards creating positive change through music education. What I saw then had me hooked.
They crossed a few genres, spanning a breadth of rock and hardcore. This was right about a year ago, as well as the time of release for their single “3am.” I can very much remember how happy and excited they where to be sharing the stage with other Las Vegas alums, Adelita’s Way and Otherwise. I mean, who wouldn’t be?
In the age of social media, and the ability to produce, promote, and perform your music without the backing of a record label, sharing the stage with two of the biggest independent artist from your area is a huge stepping stone in the right direction.
Going on, that performance had my attention completely. Remember that feeling of nostalgia I told you to hold on to? That is what comes into play here. Each and every time I have seen them, it takes me back to my days growing up in the music scene. The chick jeans and eyeliner days of high school when I would help with the small local shows put on by all sorts of groups. Did you ever go to any of the “Battle of the Bands” events near you growing up? The gents in The Guilty Party remind me so very much of a group of guys from back where I grew up. Boy With a Black Eye, I don’t think we ever got that track recorded for winning that one show, did we?
All of that being said, let’s chat a second about their sound. I want to start with Homer Raymundo on bass. I am a firm believer that a bassist can make or break a band. In this case, Raymundo is a bass guitar player with a deep groove and impeccable timing. His fingers dance effortlessly across the fret board, creating a solid foundation that drives the band’s rhythm. He has a keen sense of dynamics, knowing when to lay down a simple, catchy line and when to unleash a more complex riff that adds depth to the music. Add to that his incredible energy and stage presence, and you have a solid pillar for this band to stand on.
The best way I can describe Volkan Tonga to you is by saying infectious. Charisma, energy, skills- this guy checks every box. Technically, he has the chops to keep up with the best of the best on six strings, all while hyping the crowd. I have watched him flow effortlessly from ripping out the accompaniments to jumping right into cheer-leading, getting the crowd jumping and moving on their feet. His ability to do that is key to making sure every member of the audience has an unforgettable evening.
A masterful musician with a unique blend of technical skill and emotional expression, Andrew Lee is a complete pleasure to see perform. You can see his focus and passion shine though while he is up there, taking a commanding lead of every melody. He has a keen ability for harmonies and can incorporate that seamlessly with the rest of the group. It is more than clear that he knows when to take the spotlight and when to support others, enhancing the overall sound without overpowering it.
Chance Brady has grown exponentially as a drummer just in the short amount of time I have been watching them. The confidence he has gained is I think one of the single most impressive and exciting things about him, as well as the band. He now plays with a commanding presence, putting every ounce of effort into making sure each set is better than the last. You can see that sitting on that stool has become his throne, and he is set to take the world under his percussion rule. I can wait to see what else he pounds out for us!
While certainly far least or last, Bobby Santen is the voice you hear behind this rising group. I would venture to call him a smooth and gritty kind of vocalist. Does that work? There are points of velvet that you expect with soul and even some R&B, but then the rough rasp comes out and it is so good. Santen has the skill and control to be able to transition back and forth so well it should be criminal. His voice is something you will have to experience yourself in order to understand just how wonderful it is.
Fast forward to this most recent show; every ounce of skill and passion came in full force. You can tell how much these guys absolutely love what they are doing. I can’t speak highly enough for what they are doing now, or for what I expect of them in the future. I will say for sure I am looking towards their future with the utmost curiosity and hope. Speaking of the future and of hope, it was announced that they just finished filming a new music video that should be out for us the week of October 21. I had a chance to speak with the videographer they are working with, and that, too, is garnering my excitement.
With the links posted below, make sure you are check out this amazing group. I venture to say it won’t belong before we see them on the road playing more sold out shows, so be on the look out!!
THE GUILTY PARTY | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
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