The Kinks revisited by Dave Davies, plus The Smithereens exalt late leader with a Gin Blossom

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

With the exception of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who, all of whom populate the upper tier of superstardom, The Kinks could’ve very well been the next most important band to spring out the British Invasion in the 1960s. From then through the 1990s, the group co-founded by frequently feuding brothers Ray and Dave Davies continued to crank up the guitars, evolve and endure their way right into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“I’m Not Like Everybody Else” revved up the encore, then “You Really Got Me” was the most natural place to wrap, displaying those glorious riffs of iconic proportions that have deemed Dave Davies a true trailblazer at his craft.

Though hopes of a reunion have permeated the air since the group’s final area appearance at Popular Creek in 1993, each principal member is indeed staying solo for now with Dave Davies (lead guitar, vocals) being the latest to release a record (“Open Road” with his son Russ Davies) and pack for the cozy, beautifully restored Genesee Theatre. While individual material made its way into the playlist, mainly the reflective new cut “Path Is Long,” portions of The Kinks’ catalogue popped up, much to the delight of dedicated appreciators who even managed to hush a heckler hung up on the fact they weren’t strictly the obvious hits.

Nonetheless, some universal favorites appeared including “Till The End Of The Day,” “I Need You” and “Tired Of Waiting For You” with a raw and gritty distortion that was basically a precursor to the heavy metal, punk and grunge movements, along with several softer selections such as “See My Friends” (dedicated to former bandmate Jim Rodford, also the bassist for Argent and The Zombies). And while Dave wasn’t quite back up to speed with how he sounded or played before his stroke in 2004, he continues to improve with each passing tour.

In fact, by the time the headliner, bassist David Nolte (The Last) and drummer Dennis Diken (The Smithereens) got to the later “Living On A Thin Line” and the more distant memory “All Day And All Of The Night,” everyone especially locked in stride. “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” revved up the encore, then “You Really Got Me” was the most natural place to wrap, displaying those glorious riffs of iconic proportions that have deemed Davies a true trailblazer at his craft.

One of The Kinks’ power pop descendants The Smithereens earned the support slot, although it felt bittersweet following the passing of front man Pat DiNizio at the end of 2017. Obviously his potent pipes could never technically be replaced, but longtime friend Robin Wilson of alternative rockers the Gin Blossoms served as a reverent, rollicking and enjoyable guest singer alongside guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros and Diken for a well-received set of ‘80s and ‘90s chart-stormers (“Behind The Wall Of Sleep,” “Top Of The Pops,” “Only A Memory,” “Blood & Roses,” “A Girl Like You”) that deserve to stay in rotation on the radio and road.

Click here for more photos of Dave Davies and here for more photos of The Smithereens at the Genesee Theatre.

For additional information on Dave Davies, The Smithereens and Gin Blossoms, visit DaveDavies.com, OfficialSmithereens.com and GinBlossoms.net.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include Lisa Lampanelli (Apr. 20); Femmes Of Rock (May 4); Charles Esten and Clare Bowen (May 11); Grand Funk Railroad and Rick Derringer (May 17); Smash Mouth and Spin Doctors (May 18) and Rick Springfield (May 20). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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The Kinks revisited by Dave Davies, plus The Smithereens exalt late leader with a Gin Blossom

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