LOS ANGELES – Bang Tango is more than just Joe Leste’ these days. The raspy voiced frontman is singing as well as ever despite some hard years partying — he is sober now – but Leste’ has original star bassist Kyle Kyle back, he of the nimble fingers and chiseled features, and oh what a combination they continue to make.
Kyle shook off the cobwebs from a long break from the band he more than helped establish way back when MTV was king.
There they were the other night at the Whisky, performing to a modest but appreciative crowd that braved the unusually cold weather in Hollywood for a night of old-time party rock.
“Don’t cry, just do it ” Leste’ always did have a knack for good lyrics.
“Love Injection” got the Whisky crowd pushing towards the stage.
By the time Bang Tango got around to “Shotgun Man,” Leste’ had total control of the room.
“Someone Like You,” was the crowning jewel.
“Oh I love it, man. I love this place,” said Leste’ a few minutes before going on. “This is my home away from home.”
Kyle jumped in.
“It’s been good man. New stuff, a new chapter. It’s all good,” Kyle said “I did miss being in the band, but there’s so many new chapters. There is new shit going on. This right now is the best. This is the most fun we’ve ever had.”
It is a new era for Bang Tango.
“Oh fuck yeah, it’s nice to have Kyle Kyle back in the band,” Leste’ said. “He is our main dog. He’s a great bass player and a great songwriter.”
Leste’ sees good things ahead.
“We don’t do drugs anymore. I moved to Phoenix almost 20 years ago. I bought a house out there,” Leste’ said.
Meanwhile, openers Six Gun Sal brought in a nice crowd of its own and nearly stole the whole night.
A Southern-tinged band from Los Angeles whose sound does not fall a million miles away from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Six Gun entertained from beginning to end.
The crowd loved them.
“We’ve played here five or six times, and we’re going to be headlining in March,” drummer Joey Durant said. “I think we’re basically right around the corner from doing something very, very major “
“Remember My Name,” was the standout track, while a cover of ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid” went over particularly well.
“We did a lot of touring last year and played a bunch of shows with Molly Hatchet in San Antonio and some shows in New England. We’ve got four dates at Sturgis this year, so yeah, each year things are getting better and better for us.”
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at Gerryg123@hotmail.com
