The members of Edison Lights are battle-scarred veterans of Kansas City’s rock scene.
The primary vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Chris Doolittle, was a founding member of the Front, a local hard rock band that achieved a modicum of mainstream success in the late 1980s. Edison Lights marks his return to the rock scene after dedicating himself to raising a family for the past 20 years.
Writing about Doolittle after last year's release of the record "Bright Ideas/Dark Lights," I described the band's sound as “politely defiant barroom rock and power-pop ... imbued with the sense of a dream deferred.”
In fact, the wistful “Waiting for the Dream” feels like Doolittle’s pained rumination on near misses and squandered opportunities:
Doolittle, bassist Eason Pritchard and drummer Scotty Rex are the band's core members; keyboardist Nate Juraschek and guitarist Todd Yarrow join the band for performances such as Saturday's matinee show at the Riot Room, where the early evening time slot is a practical concession to the lifestyles of Edison Light’s forty-something fan base.
Edison Lights, 5 p.m. at the Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111; 816-442-8179. Bobwire performs prior to Edison Lights.
