When Greg Bell plays a show with his band, Blind Karma, he goes for impact.
“My first job is to do something that will astound my band mates to break that ice on stage,” he says. “Then we can address the audience as a unit.”
From Bell’s description of the band’s performances, it is clear it set out to entertain, no matter the cost.
“I don’t mind looking foolish if that opens the door to get the audience involved,” he says. “Generally, if I see someone shoe gazing, I will do something so ridiculous they can’t shoe-gaze anymore.”
Audiences can expect this outgoing presentation when Blind Karma performs at the Aug. 5 First Friday @ 5 summer concert at the RiverScape MetroPark pavilion .
Formed in 2008, Blind Karma is a trio of Daytonians who bring crowds to its feet with a variety of cover songs from as early as the 1960s. Bell says the band likes to play rock and pop music, but also tries to include unexpected elements in their concerts.
Although the band has original material, they are currently only playing covers. They pull their material from a variety of decades as to find something that appeals to everyone in the audience.
“I’m always hoping for that little extra something to remind the audience how special that song, that time period was,” Bell says.
Off the long list of songs on Blind Karma’s setlist, Bell declines to list a favorite to play live (“That’s like asking me to choose amongst my children!”) but admits “Time” by Pink Floyd is especially meaningful to him.
“It’s one of the most beautiful, moving songs,” he says. “I want to do it justice and play it with conviction. It has the potential to be an emotionally charged song.”
As far as venues go, Bell looks forward to playing in Dayton for a variety of reasons: playing downtown at RiverScape MetroPark, working with sound engineer Monika Shroyer and participating in a community event, such as First Friday.
Bell recognizes Dayton as a grounded place to perform — each venue has unique strong points and the and want to create the best experience possible for the audience.
“There is a direct connection here in town of people wanting to do the best we can with what they’ve got,” he says.
You can catch Blind Karma when they play the August 5 First Friday @ 5 concert from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark Pavilion, 111 E. Monument Ave. The concession will be open and beer will be sold from 5-7 p.m. The concerts will wrap up in plenty of time to head to the galleries and other arts venues taking part in the First Friday art hop.
