Willowz made me weep

By Frank De Blase on May 4, 2007

For a relatively crude setup, it seemed to take The Willowz forever to get going last night at the Bug Jar. All the club kids waiting for the DJs that were to follow were chomping at the bit when I rolled up. Forty-five minutes later, the band hit the stage - totally worth the wait, baby. It was slightly psychedelic and retro raunchy in the extreme, with a sort of old-world understanding of feedback as a texture and musical exclamation point. Singer Richie Follin's voice was a non-falsetto stratospheric blast. The guitars were heavy with tone you could touch, and bassist Jessica Reynoza flailed and contorted in a dress that looked like something worn on "The Lawrence Welk Show" circa 1970. The music flexed a good bit heavier than on the band's new "Chautauqua," with a bluesy swagger. When the band dialed it down, it was like Crazy Horse with soul.