Their first full new album since the release of Black Lightning in 2010, Punk Funk Rock Soul Volume 2 follows the release of Volume One, the four-track taster EP released earlier this year as an appetiser for the main feast. And we're premiering the track 'I Can't Hide'.
First coming together back in 1990 and fronted by the indomitable Lisa Kekaula alongside founding guitarist Robert Vennum, The Bellrays' high energy rock'n'soul shows quickly earned them comments like "The Stooges meet Aretha Franklin" and " Tina Turner and the MC5", an a reputation that has taken them right round the world.
“We take our ear where our heart lives in simple song writing, making ourselves and hopefully all who hear it feel good,” explains Lisa. “We are proud of its simplicity and love how the new songs sound like old friends. This release is a collection of songs that illustrates why we do what we do. We are not 20 year olds and that’s okay. We are proud of our mileage and journey and PUNK FUNK ROCK SOUL validates our comfort in what music means to us. Viability, trend and meaning are up to the eye of the beholder…we like to rock.”
Speaking of the track 'I Can't Hide', she says, “Bob wrote it about us and what means to be in a relationship. He said you realize that somebody actually loves you. Not taking the magnitude of what that means for granted.”
Punk Funk Rock Soul Volume 2 is set for release on 2 February through Cargo. The band then head over at the start of March to play the following dates....
Thrs 1 Mar - Ramsgate Music Hall
Fri 2 Mar - Halifax The Lantern
Sat 3 Mar - Middlesbrough Westgarth Social Club
Sun 4 Mar - Edinburgh Opium
Tues 6 Mar - Glasgow Broadcast
Wed 7 Mar - Newcastle Cluny
Thrs 8 Mar - Leeds Brudenell
Fri 9 Mr - Manchester Soup Kitchen
Sat 10 Mar - Newport Le Pub
Tues 13 Mr - Southampton Talking Heads
Wed 14 Mar - Bristol Lantern
Thrs 15 Mar - Brighton The Albert
Fri 16 Mar - Norwich NAC
Sat 17 Mar - London The Camden Assembly
Tickets are on sale now through Punk Rock Blues!
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