Louisville-based rock band White Reaper hit the Fonda Theatre on Tuesday night and unleashed an electrifying performance celebrating the release of their new album Asking For a Ride.
This recent album was a return to some of their earlier, snotty, garage-punk styles that made White Reaper Does It Again and The World’s Best American Band so memorable. The setlist they put together blended highlights from those records and their recent, more polished You Deserve Love.
The night kicked off with the titular and opening track from the new album “Asking For a Ride”. It’s a freewheeling romp that would sound as comfortable in a seedy dive as a Guitar Hero demo. Tony Esposito, the band’s front man, commanded the stage with raw energy and casual charisma. The rest of the band provided a tight and powerful backing; Ryan Hater on the keys, in particular, was impossible to ignore as he pranced around the stage.
Highlights of the night included their Blink-182-esque “Pink Slip”, old favorite “Sheila”, and instant-classic set-ender “Judy French”. I’ve seen them a few times now over the years and this was the best they’ve been from a catalogue and production standpoint.
White Reaper continues their tour on the west coast before eventually heading back east and finishing in their hometown Louisville. See all dates and other White Reaper info here.
Photos + Review by Andrew Ameter | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!