On the surface, naming a band after the science fiction alpha predator Godzilla is a bit corny. However, it hasn’t hurt Rockzilla, a three-piece act whose tag line reads like a metalhead bio.
“Progressive in nature and eager to annihilate, crush and destroy the city with rock.”
While the soft-spoken trio hasn’t yet pulverized the region with rock, they’ve pulled off about 60 gigs since they first surfaced in July 2014.
And they’re about to show us their might in a return performance this Friday at LB’s Pub.
“We have a really good stage show and lights. We’re a very progressive band. When we play songs we don’t play like other bands. When there’s a space or fill we’ll add drum solos or bass licks. We even throw in extra harmonies to make it bigger,” said guitarist Kevin Melendez-Duke. He shares vocals with Al Petrie (bass) and Todd Gerow (drums).
Their sets include less played songs such as The Police’s Every Breath You Take, Rush’s Tom Sawyer and Eminem’s Lose Yourself as well as more modern rock heard on the charts of Imagine Dragons, American Authors and Awolnation.
The trio also amps up their high-energy musicianship with an equal amount of showmanship and fun.
To add extra flair, they’ve also added LED lights, an effects system and Bruce, a six-foot air blown dragon. It was the closest reptile to a Godzilla look-alike available.
“The arms even flap. It’s pretty cool. A lot of people come up and have their pictures taken with Bruce.”
Jokingly I ask if he breathes flames.
“Sadly no,” replies Melendez-Duke. “But when we walk into a bar, a lot of people recognize him and get a kick out of him.”
To compensate for Bruce’s lack of fire-breathing finesse, the trio has added flames on stage – an eye-catching gimmick to keep people focused on the stage.
The trio came together after Petrie and Gerow’s vocalist from another band became ill.
“I slipped in. At our first rehearsal we played 24 songs and it went well. We booked a gig two weeks later.”
While most rock bands are a foursome, the Edmonton-based band believes the number three is their magic bullet.
“We enjoy the simplicity of working with three musicians. It helps with the harmonies and with three people it’s easier to work out the schedules.”
Rockzilla spent the first year getting established on the club circuit and as they enter their second season, the goal is to mix originals with covers.
“When you come to LB’s you’ll see something different. We’re not just a good band. We’re also a good show.”
