Editing Boomerocity.com definitely has its advantages.  I get to interview some of the most incredible people on the planet and I often get free stuff to review. 

It’s good to be king.

The downside is that I often get asked by friends and family to review their alleged and profound “talents”.  Let’s see, there’s Uncle Elmo and his world renown (at least, in Booger Holler, Tennessee) hambone virtuosity.  Aunty Em’s clogging solo.  Oh, and there’s some distant relative who can do those cool sounds that involve a hand, an arm pit and a flapping motion.

Yes, folks, family reunions are just chock full of never ending talent shows.

Everything I just wrote is untrue.  I never get “bugged” to write anything (thankfully) and all sides of my family have oodles of genuine talent.  I’m incredibly proud of them all.

One family member that I’m particularly proud of (but has never asked that I plug them) is one of my cousins, Seven King.  He’s the vocalist for an up and coming band in the Atlanta area called Once Reckless, which is also made up of the driving bass riffs of Jay Presley, his brother, Troy, on drums and Seven’s long time friend, guitarist Dean Havlik.  They’re an incredible up and coming band that I feel might  be of interest to Boomerocity readers

Since I don’t live in the Atlanta area, I’ve had the privilege of listening to some of the bands demo work.  You can, too, by clicking here to access their MySpace page where they have their work posted for review.

One is greeting by the thundering rock of Lord Have Mercy.  The drive is relentless, sure to drive crowds to their feet and never want to sit down.  Havlik’s work is delivered with perfection, in perfect sync with the Presley boy’s sonic rhythm backdrop. Seven’s signature sound is the vocal icing on this rock and roll cake.

Following Lord Have Mercy, is a slightly slow rock love ballad called How About It.  Lyrically sound, this simple tune immediately gives one an “aneurhythm” that will last for days.  The song’s ends with a fading Havlik guitar solo that leaves you wanting for more.  Of course, I may be biased due to the familial connection, but I believe this song is what will command attention for Once Reckless but just the right people.  Yeah, it’s that good.

Sick Sunday is what I call a “sway number” that will have crowds pushing against the stage, swaying to its hypnotic, mesmerizing sounds.  While the sound is reminiscent of Black Sabbath, Seven offers a Roger Daltery stammer, ala My Generation, a time or two that brought a smile to my face.

Believe it or not, the boys can be mellow, too, as can be seen in the Bon Jovi-ish, “Friends”.  I can just see the crowd joining the band during the chorus.  I’d defy them not to.

When you check out Once Reckless’ MySpace page, you’ll also hear some covers of some great tunes like Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild” and Lynard Skynard’s “The Needle & The Spoon”.  Exact knockoffs?  Not hardly.  The King/Havlik/Presly fingerprints are all over these classics.  They easily recognizable but they definitely have the Once Reckless signature sound that all but makes the songs all their own.

If you live, or going to be, in Atlanta, check out Once Reckless’ MySpace page to see if they’re playing at a venue near you.  And if you happen to talk to Seven between sets, tell him his cousin is dang proud of him and the boys.