The Big Bang arrived in the Twin Cities a little less than 3 years ago from Fargo and quickly made a name for themselves as a fine bunch of musicians backing the young Jonny Lang. They underwent a couple of line up changes during the past year with the original core group of Ted Larsen, Michael Rey Larsen and Jeff Hayes remaining the same.

Tony Sims & Jeff Hayes Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

But what makes this new combination so exciting? Well, there is a fresh energy and vitality in the group. You can tell they are having a ball on stage and that translates into a high energy, super charged performance - from the first note to the end of the night. "Famous" Dave Anderson commented that these guys are going to be one of the hottest bands around - and I don't doubt him one bit. These guys are a whole lot of fun to watch. At times they seem to be off in their own little world but when they come together both physically and musically there is a dynamic at work that makes this something very special.

Tony Sims Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Tom Hunter, off the road this past year with Bill Perry and most recently with Blue Chamber, adds a whole new dimension to the band with his thunderous keyboard playing and excellent lead and harmony vocals. Tony Sims, who has been electrifying audiences around town this past year, fronts the new lineup. Tony has a special charisma on stage that attracts attention - with his "Elvis-like" leg shake, a great "pout," strong, confident vocals, exciting, flamboyant energy and sparks-flying lead guitar!

Ted Larsen Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Add the solid rhythm section of Michael Rey Larsen on drums and Jeff Hayes on bass, and the surgical precision guitar playing of Ted Larsen and you get a synergy that explodes on stage and bombards your senses from every direction with some excellent music.

Jeff Hayes Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

The band already has about a dozen new songs and they don't show any signs of slowing down, with new ones being worked out every week. Each show has them experimenting with something new -- trying to work out the rough edges and find that "right" fit. It was nice to see the Jeff Hayes classic sounding R&B song "Love Me Tonight" back in the line up. They also pull off some great covers that are all over the musical spectrum. There is the rockabilly, Elvis inspired "Honey Don't," the rocked up version of Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight." A remarkable rendition of Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops" with Tony delivering those soaring vocals -- now if he can only add those spinning dips and dance steps...a middle aged lady sitting near us commented that she wished she was 19 again. There is the surprise, slow burning "Purple Rain" that just oozes with emotion and a soaring guitar solo by Tony.

Ted Larsen & Tony Sims Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp. All rights reserved

The superb cover of the Fenton Robinson's classic "You Don't Know What Love Is" and the Freddie King instrumentals "San Ho Zay" and "Side Track" allow Ted and Tom to shine on guitar and keyboards. Jeff's rock 'n roll "Juke Joint Jenny" with Ted's Chuck Berry like riffs always draws a rousing response and when Tony and Ted start trading guitar licks on several of the songs, with some good natured competition and one up-man-ship, you realize just how good these guys are.

Tom Hunter Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

And watch out when Tom Hunter gets wound up and starts hitting those keyboards like a wild man (he even gives Jeff a run for his money). Tom has his own little cheering section in the audience that gives him a rousing response whenever he starts singing in his growling deep voice or pounding out some ferocious keyboards. There are also a number of pretty good sounding new songs like "The Blues Is My Business," "Love Fever" and "Chain Smoking" co-written by Kevin Bowe and Tony Sims.

Ted Larsen & Tony Sims Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp. All rights reserved

This new band serves up an invigorating mixture of great music spiced with exciting energy while infusing a freshness into every song that is just plain fun to watch and listen to. There may have been some rough edges in the performance but this debut by Tony Sims, Tom Hunter and The Big Bang was an impressive display by a band that is definitely going to set the Twin Cities on fire! Find out where they are playing and make a point to get out and see them.

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E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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