emerged from hibernation Friday night with their familiar brand of hard driving rock ‘n’ roll and a couple of new faces — drummer Dan Gilbertson (Gilbertson’s former bands include the LaDonnas and the Geds) and guitar player Paul Childs, whose addition reunites him with fellow guitarist Eric Lowe of Local 33.
Hot Robots’ frontman, Jimmy Leo, said he felt good about the chemistry of the band, and it translated to a solid set on the stage at the , where the group’s latest incarnation performed publicly for the first time. Emerging from months of studio work and ongoing efforts to release a new CD, Leo was hoping each of the band members, old and new, would bring their own musical souls to bear.
“I don’t want (Paul and Dan) to feel like hired guns just playing how they think we want them to play,” Leo said. “I want them to feel like they’re part of the band… because they are.”
Drummer Dan Gilbertson talked about his hesitancy in bringing a raw, punk style of drumming to the band. “I even suggested that maybe I wasn’t right for the band and that maybe they should look for someone who was a better fit. But (guitarist) Eric (Lowe) said that’s why it’s a good fit — because my style is a bit more raw.”
Whatever the concerns may have been going in, the audience certainly seemed to enjoy what they heard. The band is heading back to continue work on an album they hope to release later this year. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the next appearance around town. You won’t be disappointed. — Mark Osler
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Mark Osler is a Pulitzer Prize-winning Denver photographer and regular contributor to Reverb. See more of his work .
