KICK OUT THE JAMS

Thursday, May 29, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Kick Out the Jams

Franky Perez & the Highway Saints at the Barbary Coast, May 23

Blue-collar rocker Franky Perez may not yet be the most famous pop music act to come out of Las Vegas, but he's already made some big moves. His debut album, Poor Man's Son, came out on Lava/Atlantic two weeks ago, his video has been on VH1 and his songs are all over various equivalents of Vegas' Mix 94.1 station in different cities. And I'm pretty sure Slaughter never got to do anything as cool as play a show on top of the Barbary Coast.

A loving audience of a few hundred of Perez's friends and supporters--and only a few cranky media types--were invited to help the Vegas native celebrate the release of his CD with a party and concert on the roof of the hotel. The weather was warm and the view was awesome. With Bellagio over his right shoulder and Caesars Palace over his left, Perez enthusiastically cranked out a series of working-class ballads, mixing in a few covers (including a strong version of "No Woman, No Cry") and an acoustic performance.

Before the show I had been told by many a label exec that I just "had to see Franky live. He's incredible live." Of course, everybody from every label says this about every band, but in this case it made sense. On his record, Perez's songs are basic, honest, soul-rock anthems. In person, Perez puts a little more emotion into his singing and his effort creates a distinctly bluesy feel. His personality still shines through: "I'm up here with this casino [Caesars Palace] behind me, thinking of the 26 years my old man worked there, and I'm thinking, I sure am glad I'm in this building," he said. His father, a Cuban immigrant, worked as a waiter at a Caesars' restaurant before losing his job to a younger man. Sentiments like these are sometimes overpowering on the album, but during a concert it comes off more sincere.

Perez's backing band, the Highway Saints, played with emotion as well. Guitarist Brian Bissel, keyboard player Bobby Lynch, bassist Peter Cicchetti and drummer Bailey Hicks all proved themselves more than adequate musicians.

Perez may or may not become the rock 'n' roll representative of Vegas, but he's got decent odds. We could certainly do a lot worse.--Brock Radke