After KEXP's live in-studio performance with the British band The Heavy, my mind and body was still vibrating. Those four guys packed a small room with a wall of sound that left me wanting a lot more than just the four songs they played — all from The Heavy's killer new album, The House That Dirt Built.
The band's performance fell on the day before Halloween. Whether intentional or not, it was appropriate that The Heavy started with "Sixteen," which seems to give new life to "I Put a Spell on You," with vocalist Kelvin Swaby channeling Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Throughout the session, The Heavy shifted styles seamlessly, infusing funk, soul, R&B and garage-rock into a sexy and soulful sound.
Even though I sat throughout the session, I was out of breath and even a little sweaty by the time the group finished. Audiences at The Heavy's live shows are known to get wild, and I can see why: From the first note, the band unleashed an enormous sound and energy into the room; it's hard not to let loose and go a little crazy in return.
Copyright 2009 KEXP
