California rockers The Bellrays are set to play Newport’s Le Pub on March 10. The band are touring in support of their latest album ‘Punk Funk Rock Soul Volume 2’ which follows the release of ‘Volume 1’, the four-track taster EP released in 2017 .
Vocalist, Lisa Kekaula recently answered our questions about the bands latest work.
You’ve been together nearly 30 years now. What lead you to decide you wanted to be a band all those years ago?
(Guitarist), Bob (Vennum ) had already been doing bands and he said I sang like I needed to be heard so it made sense to do the band at that time.
Who are your current musical influences?
Current is a good term because your focus can shift from time to time. At this moment Freddie King, Ravi Shankar, T-bone Walker and Cheap Trick.
Can you tell us about your new release: Punk Funk Rock Soul Volume 2?
We were fortunate enough to grow up around a.m. Radio which was a mix of everything from country to funk. It was a major inspiration for what bob and i wanted from the Bellrays and more recently making Punk Funk Rock Soul Volumes 1&2
If there’s a track that best defines you as an artist what is it and why?
“Power to burn” or “black lightning.”
“Black lightning” might be better because the song(s) are all about energy.
What can people expect from your forthcoming show in Newport?
The rock show they didn’t know they’ve been waiting for forever.
- Check out The Bellrays Official Website
- Interview archived: August 2023