Stage presence: The Atomic Blues

By Sarah Bluvas

Thursday, October 1, 2009

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Contributed photo

‘A rock band with a radical flare’: The Atomic Blues put on an energetic live performance.

When you see The Atomic Blues live, you’re sure to have a hell of a time dancing.

 Tom Ashe, Lawrence junior, and Lawrence residents David Liston and Nick Blessing formed the band in 2005. Citing a balance of influences that include Styxx, Van Halen, The Beatles and many others, the power trio’s sound could be described as progressive rock, although Liston wouldn’t call it that. “We’re more a rock band with a radical flare,” he says.

 The Atomic Blues, who just signed with independent label Red Hot Records, also show a good balance when writing their own material. Both Ashe, who plays guitar and sings lead vocals, and Blessing, who plays bass, bring ideas to the table and everyone works to piece it together.

 “Nick can see the larger idea — he has, like, our next three albums planned out. Tom is a little more explosive. So it’s all there, and we just glue everything together,” Liston says.

 But their live show is a whole other beast. “It’s intense and fun on stage. It’s there and it’s raunchy and it’s good,” Liston says. Listeners should come expecting a rock show and leave exhausted from all the dancing.

The Atomic Blues will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., and at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Duffy’s, 2222 W 6th St.

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