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Raven Wylder
The Gig
Hollywood

Contact: 818-990-3811

The Players: Raven Wylder, vocals; Chase Carpini, guitar; Mike Johnstone, pedal steel; Michael McCarthy, bass; Dan Marfisi, drums.

Material: Aggressive and versatile in their delivery, Raven Wylder and her band charge through a modernized mutation of country music. From traditional crooners about swilling liquor to funkified anti-media romps, the quintet somehow manages to maintain a rootsy sound, no matter how far they seem to stray. Whether it’s doing a punk-blast version of “Bad Moon Rising” or copping Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” riff into a two-stepping stomp, this act revels in tearing down some of the genre’s rigidity.

Musicianship: Armed with a pedal-steel virtuoso, the band expertly weaves in and out of its barrier-bending material. Though Carpini dishes out some soulful leads over McCarthy’s and Marfisi’s unshakeable foundation, it is Johnstone that undeniably spearheads the band’s music. Johnstone fires off smoldering licks that simply must be witnessed, especially alongside the rest of the band. And to top it off, Wylder isn’t just all looks, but talented as well, possessing a deceivingly silky voice.

Performance: With a rousing opening, Wylder entered from the back of the room draped in boxing attire, an entourage and a ring girl (and that was the tame part). From there, the crowd was treated to an eye-opening set from the whiskey-pounding, bong-hitting vixen that included an onstage costume change and adult-film star cameo. Raven’s show-womanship quickly enticed all eyes; and though it all seemed a bit much, the fact that she and her bandmates are also proficient made for an engaging show.

Summary: Raven Wylder is bringing country music into the new century. Blatantly sexual, the scarlet-haired diva injects a bit of danger into the genre’s glossy image. Yes, there are heaps of schtick in Wylder’s act, but strip it all away and there remains a natural performer and skilled vocalist. Plus, she has grade-A musicians behind her worthy of attention on their own. As a whole, however, the band provides for an exciting experience indeed, crotch-references and all.

––Albert Vega

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