The Whisky A Go Go is one of those legendary rock venues that was there at the peak of the swinging sixties and is still a place where rock-n-roll resides. An exhibition of the rock-n-roll spirit that has not left the building comes in the form of Johnny Nasty Boots’ album Hollywood Affair / Live at the Whisky a Go Go.
Recorded from their show on December 26, 2019, it was part of their “Bloody Rock & Roll Tour”. The recording, however, was not released until March this year, which is, perhaps, a great occurrence as there starts to be some hope for live gigs to return. . .
On the first track, a bit of commentary declares that this is not the band’s first time to play The Whisky a Go Go. The singer Johnny says that the first time he played the Whisky was actually with a different band lineup, but that it was still an awesome experience. So, the affair with Hollywood is reignited; what remains of the spark continues to build and flourish, sizzling in gentle waves as passion ensures.
Four tracks that exhibit what a Johnny Nasty Boots show is like. With prominent guitar and lyrics that cover sex, heartbreak, and gypsy curses alike, it is all displayed in a stount blues-rock fashion. All of the tracks were first on the band’s debut album Johnny Nasty Boots from 2017, which I had yet to hear when I heard Hollywood Affair. . .
Jumping into the music with no previous knowledge of the band - no idea exactly what I was about to step into - was the best way I could approach this album. Because it’s raw, it’s heavy, it’s open music. Rock-n-roll has not lost its spirit, nor its energy and the oozing impact that it has carried since the blues first poured from a man’s heart and flesh.
The show starts with a track called “Hard To Love Me”. The “dynamic duo” do not waste time to get the show started. Their hard blues-rock sound sets off like dynamite from when the music starts with hard-hitting drums to the end of the set. The groove settles in, the bass driving the song with the guitar sizzling and screaming on top of it all. The story that is told is one that has appeared in blues songs of the past, but it is still refreshing to hear it in this modern century.
After the first song, band introductions begin, which the band has delightfully left on the album release: “Good night, everyone. We are Johnny Nasty Boots from Mexico City. It’s a pleasure to be here at the fucking Whisky a Go Go for the second time. Thank you for coming. This next song is called ‘Jump and Shout’ so come on and jump and do whatever you fucking want!”
“Jump and Shout” shows a more ‘jam’ side of the band. It is still hard-hitting blues-rock and lyrically it is similar to “Hard To Love Me”. The song is dedicated to unrest in a relationship, and the delivery is awesome. As much of the band’s sound is devoted to high levels and spirits of energy, they are not afraid to recoil and let the music simmer. The band is also not afraid of a little improvisation. This is exhibited in a couple of solos across this second track. A guitar solo forms a platform for some vocal improvisations, as the drums continue their thundering. This in turn breaks off into an extended guitar solo. The song ends with as much energy as it began with, but you can feel that even when the music stops, the energy hasn’t left the room.
The third track “Deadline” combines elements of both of the previous tracks: it is a jam but the blues groove is still there. The music drives, turns, twists into new grooves and directions - not like a merry-go-round where it is predictable, nor like an uncoordinated flier. The direction is perfectly both spontaneous and controlled. This track is my favorite off the album as it is a wonderful exhibition of what rock-n-roll is about: not being afraid to show the world who you are. There is another extensive guitar solo here, and as someone who likes and appreciates a good guitar solo, it’s awesome! There is also a drum solo, which in my opinion is an undervalued thing in rock-n-roll. You always hear people go on and on about guitar solos, but a really nice drum solo is something to appreciate, too. And you can certainly find one here on this track!
The band also got a strong bit of audience participation, which is heard on this track, as the audience is encouraged to be the ‘groove-maker’ by clapping their hands along to the track. This momentum builds and fires off into a guitar solo that closes the track.
HOWEVER, the track does not technically end as the music jams right into the final song “I’m Cursed”. Now, this transition is such an awesome thing to hear as it allows for not only the music to keep going, but for the energy to keep building as well.
There is something about the sheer musicality of the band that works together so well. The bass and guitar complement one another and the drums never stop their fierce roar. Even just being limited to the audio of a gig, you can still feel the connection between the musicians. It makes for some really good music!
The lyrics of “I’m Cursed” detail superstition, which is not a new subject for the blues. But the band’s sound with its heavy influence from the 1960s still fits perfectly in this current century in my ears.
All the tracks with the exception of “I’m Cursed” were released as singles before the album was released. Hearing all the tracks together on the album is an excellent exhibition. As someone who has recently attended some gigs, I think that it is still awesome how a band like this can still convey the concert feel and setting while being restricted to just what you hear on the recording. It gives me the same sort of emotions that you feel after a good concert: a buzz of excitement, satisfaction, and yet still a desire to hear more great music. It is an addicting album, to put it simply.
In the words of the band, they describe the night as “the audience having a good time, but we were having the most good time”. The band calls themselves not only a band but a “brotherhood of rock-n-fucking-roll”. I believe all of these elements are something you can hear on this recording. So, if you are feeling that strong dose of nostalgia for a good concert or just want an album that is excellent from beginning to end like how you should feel at the end of a great gig, give Johnny Nasty Boots’ Hollywood Affair / Live at The Whisky a Go Go a spin!
Guitar & Vocals: Johnny
Drums: Oscar Burgos
Bass: Rodrigo Salinas
Mixed by: Ivan Ramos "Pony" at Pony's Corral
Mastered by: Luis Díaz
Cover artwork by: Ximena Gama
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