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June 11, 2004
I run into
bands all the time – from everywhere. I make it a point to
be out and about in the clubs and at shows because of my
unquenchable thirst for live music. I don’t get to Genghis
Cohen as much as I would like to, and when I do, I am always
rewarded with a groovy vibe and a new band or musician
making a new fan of me; and the night I went to see 34 Below
(www.34Below.com)
did not disappoint.
I originally met
guitarist Chris James at a Population 1 show that I was
reviewing for this magazine. He was on the fringe of my
group of friends, by himself, and I prevailed upon him to
join us. Soon I learned he was from San Diego, and a
musician himself. We stayed in touch, and when I found out
his band was playing in Los Angeles, I took advantage of the
chance to see them.
A friend and I
arrived early and had time enough for some spicy braised
tofu on the restaurant side of the venue. On a trip to the
smoking section (outside), I noticed singer Steve Ybarra
hanging around and dragged him back to the table to talk
about his music. “We used to be so wrapped up in our music
that we practically ignored the audience, because Chris
(James) and I have this harmony thing going,” Ybarra said,
“Now, we’re still wrapped up in the music, but we also
completely engage the listeners.” When I asked him what he
meant, he gave a sly smile and said, “You’ll see.” With
that gauntlet thrown down, I just knew it was going to
be an interesting evening.
From the
beginning of their eleven-song set, I recognized that this
would be the most plugged-in acoustic show I would probably
ever see a three-piece band perform. Percussionist Gustavo
was aggressive with his bongos, and played the cymbals with
his hands.
Watching Chris
James play guitar is elegance and style in motion. His long,
slender fingers move eloquently over the strings with
refinement and efficiency; when he began to sing with
Ybarra’s forceful lead vocals, I realized the single-minded
front man had understated the “harmony thing”. These two men
are as twins with their own language. The consonant blending
may have been jarring to an outsider such as myself had the
music not been so decidedly first-rate.
Watching and
listening to Steve Ybarra sing persuaded me that there is
not a stage large enough to contain this man’s voice.
Demonstrating my point, he left the stage, dragging a long
mic cord behind him, and got into the personal space of just
about every member of the audience. There is no ignoring
him, and with his talent, who would want to? He held the mic
two feet from his face at times, projecting his voice across
the room, belting out original tunes, and one cover of note:
Led Zeppelin’s “All of My Love”. It’s hard enough to play
Led Zep when you aren’t playing acoustically; but
they knocked the song out impressively, without missing a
beat.
Ybarra and James
trade vocals fluidly, with each emotively singing his heart
out. Both have the charisma and aptitude to be front men,
but have instead chosen to join forces. The fortuitous
listener is the beneficiary of this generous pool of talent.
You can
find this band on the web at
www.34Below.com, or
at one of their many upcoming shows. See them once, and
you’ll be hooked!
— Heather
Champagne
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