Powerhouse
Powerhouse surely has their powerful name that rings easily in your mind, a first reason to remember them easily. Secondly, they were an early band from guitarist Shinki Chen. In 1967 they were still called The Bebes, having released a long and slowed down version of The Beatle’s “Back in the USSR”, when Shinki chen joined in with George Yanagi (Strawberry Path, Flied Egg) on bass, changing with this their name to Powerhouse. Their debut LP was called “New Style Of Blues” and that’s what it was. The same Beatles song received a cover treatment as if it were an American white blues song, with harmonica, directing towards R&B. Also covered were Yardbirds and a Loving Spoonful track, both more or less highlights of this album (of over 15 minutes each), because it is when they start to improvise more freely (the new guitar and bassist are responsible for this mostly), they turn from a still rather average but also greatly-independent late 60s raw rock band with an interest for American bluesrock to a more stoned vibed, darker real-blues tension band, with a freedom of certain moves in the guitar style which is typical for Shinki Chen. He had his hair grown very long also, making it difficult to get bookings most places, but he refused to change his attitude. This was a free feelin’ American blues that found its own power. Most tracks have a more typical 60s fundament, but bluesier and with some fuzz solos that still make these versions original enough to get your attention into them to enjoy them as something different. Originals are impossible to find.
