Lights Out Band- a stairway to the top

The popular saying states that “some men are born great, some men achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon their shoulder.” There may be some initial concern as to where the Lights Out Band fits in with such a quote, but after listening to the band, the question marks are automatically transformed into exclamation marks.

Just over one year old, the Lights Out Band, which originates out of Sandy Point, has already made known its intention of reshaping the musical annals of history.

Seemingly, the band is on a collision course to cash in on their destiny- musical greatness- and the positive vibes and energy that are synonymous with the youthful band is indeed a key ingredient in the recipe for the members to be pioneers of the music industry.

The local adage, “small axe cut down big tree,” truly surmises the short journey of the band as it has youthful exuberance to the hearts of music lovers in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Averaging just sixteen years old, the band members are admittedly young but their passion for music and their insatiable thirst for success have forced even the staunchest of non-believers to lend an ear.

There is 17 year old Tarissa “Krissy” Thomas with her smooth vocals, fifteen year old Istivon “Isty” Richards with youthful appeal and another fifteen year old, Davin “Dabo” Benjamin, with their rich tones and seventeen year old Jason “KT” Jacobs with his soothing and magnetic vocals. These four lead the charge into the hearts of many and they produce an unmistakable blend.

Then the melting pot of talent is completed with Stickle “Ras” Bennett, on keyboards, another fifteen year old, Revilo “Revi” Rogers, on the bass guitar, and two sixteen year olds, Javan “Bab” Huggins and Devin “Devbo” Lennon, on the drums and lead guitar respectively.

Pause for a moment and look at the title Lennon, then we can safely deduce another perspective from the opening saying- Lennon is synonymous with musical greatness.

I first heard the band during the music festival period, when they performed for the Front Stage promotional, which is an avenue to showcase upcoming local artistes. They sounded good!

I heard them after at Ziggy’s Bar and they thoroughly entertained the crowd. They were even better then.

I heard them for a third time at Basketball City and they certainly aroused the interests of all as they ingeniously orchestrated various rhythms that had the crowd moving. They were even better still!

Indeed, all indications point to them becoming accomplished musicians long before they hit their mid 20’s.

Music is the language that transcends boundaries and it is the binding power that lends to the creation of positive moods, and the young musicians are living the language right now.

They are not just limited to the ever popular ‘soca’ genre, but their four vocalists and gifted musicians expertly blend to lash out various musical genres, a  step which they know they must take to be a complete band.

For now they are on the rise but it is a certainty that every small step that this group takes toward realizing their goal of becoming the number one band in St. Kitts and the rest of the region, is a huge step for the music industry locally and regionally.

Be sure to look out for their debut album, “Turn off de Lights,” in November, 2007.

 Shawn Seabrookes

 sknvibes.com