What's not to love about a band committed to making sure that the party spirit of rock and roll remains alive in all of us? And who better to deliver such a mission through sound and performance than Grand Rapids very own Head.
Unlike the last time this act took a hiatus from recording and resulted in a nine-year break between their second Headmusic (2002) and third release Strike the Golden Eagle (2011), Head returns to the stage on January 31 with their fourth album, Three Cheers.
Ever true to the roots of their mission, lead singer Ben Hunter promises a night featuring a rowdy performance by a band who draws comparisons to musicians ranging from The Melvins to David Bowie to Face to Face.
"This album is a triumph of rock over pain and suffering to be quite honest. It's pretty cathartic. There is stuff on here about my divorce, Prospecto, ArtPrize, and friendship," says Hunter, who is quick to remind me that, "It's about triumphing over these battles in our life, regardless of win or lose. It's the battle that sets real people aside from the haters and naysayers. Three Cheers!"
Hunter has had his fair share of ups and downs but the best part about it is that even when he is down, Head (along with his other band, Love Fossil) provides a pathway to work out those issues but also a place to let off steam.
Three Cheers finds the band back in the saddle and ready to rock out with their fans. You can expect plenty of anthem-style rock and roll tunes that you can rock out to but also some sweet earworms that make buying this new release essential.
The title track "Three Cheers" is really a snappy fun track as we find the band giving high fives all around to the folks in our community who create music.
"It won't be a super late night," says Hunter about their show before I cut him off with laugher.
When I explain why, I mimic building off his last thought as I imagine typing this next line from my yet-unwritten review: "Even Ben Hunter is getting old and could be found these days not in a bar late at night but at home watching Conan in bed…" Hunter adds, "…with his special ladies," and we both roar with laughter. He's ever the rocker.
And that laughter is what has sustained him over the years through the good and bad – both present on this new release. But within the arms of rock and roll, you can always come back -- and sometimes with a nice collection of tunes to reaffirm, for better or worse, that your journey was your own.
Get Head on Friday at The Pyramid Scheme. Joining Head that night will be opening acts UTO + MOTO + Lo Mobb.
Admission: $6 adv/$8 day of
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