by Derric Miller
— Managing Editor —
There have been a myriad of chameleons in the music industry, but none who have changed so many times and still somehow stayed true to themselves as Ron Keel. You know him from Steeler, and most prominently from the multi-platinum selling KEEL, also maybe Fair Game, likely for his time in IronHorse, and then of course the bevy of projects and his solo releases. But do you remember his time as Ronnie Lee Keel, his Country Music roots being brought to life, or the short-lived but insanely talented duo of Keel & Wayne? (Charlie Wayne Morill of Bulletboys and Hawk fame.) Ron Keel has been from the penthouse to the outhouse and back up again all in one lifetime, and through the ups and downs, he’s always stayed true to himself, and even more so, it seems that his omnipresent musical search to finally settle in to something akin to what his roaming soul can call “home” has finally come to fulfillment with his new band, Ron Keel Band, and their first studio release, Fight Like a Band.
“Road Ready” welcomes you with the first track, a burning, heavy, riff-chunky composition opening with Keel’s recognizable scream, toned down a bit but still strong as hell. All the Keelaholics are going to trip over themselves trying to keep up with references to a number of Keel songs and albums, his other projects, even his autobiography Even Keel. No one could catch them all, but it’s fun trying, as with lyrics like, “Get the show on the road got a long way to go, cuz dreams are not enough. Like the 4th of July it’s one hell of a ride and we’re brothers in blood. It’s a jungle out there …” well, you get the picture. It’s an aural depiction of Keel’s history and the song flat out rips. Great way to meet the band …
The title track is next, and it’s got a palpable KEEL anthemic feel to it with the guitars, but Keel goes into his storytelling vocal style on the verses, along the lines of polished Southern Rock. But he snarls his way into the next verse and it’s that razor-sharp melodic powerhouse voice leading the way once again. “When they say you don’t stand a chance, fight like a band!” It’s one of those hair-raising, uplifting, headbanging sing-along songs you’ll find all over the album, and a clear highlight.
“Long Way Down” has a bit of a ’70s melodic appeal to it, and perhaps the best chorus on the entire release. This feels like one of those songs they wrote and recorded in a few takes, because it’s so effortlessly tight. If they had tweaked it in any way other than it is, it’d be a detriment to the song. This is just one of those songs you want to listen to over and over and it can’t ever become old … because it’s timeless.
Long time fans are probably going to want to hear a little Hair Metal, albeit KEEL was never that kind of band but were lumped in with them for better or worse. “Hearts Gone Wild” is sort of a Bon Jovi type construction, not really the way it sounds but the way it’s written, about two young hearts trying to find a kindred soul. It’s about almost-innocent love, and you’ll hear a strong KEEL flashback in the guitars. There’s keys, acoustic interludes, and just an everyman topic anyone can relate to. This feels like a hit from the late ’80s, and that’s a compliment.
Their first official video and single is, “Girls Like Me,” and yes, much of the footage was shot in a strip joint or two. Do you want a song to party to, or maybe even trip to? Well, thank Ron Keel Band early and often, because it’s all here for your listening pleasure. The song highlights the talented DC Cothern on guitar, a guy you may not have heard of before but if you know Ron Keel, if you can’t hold your own, you ain’t in his band. It’s as much fun as a song like Y&T’s “Summer Time” but with an updated sultry sound. You’ll also get some gang vocals from some of the ladies featured in the video. Good clean fun!
“Old School” holds that Southern Rock flag high and waves it proudly. The chorus gets heavy, but the versus are sort of high-five to some of the band’s other influences, which are many, and they wear all of those prominently on their sleeves throughout this musical journey.
Speaking of old school, there is a KEEL medley, starting with an updated version of “Because the Night,” a keyboard-driven song instead of how the original was acoustic guitar at the forefront. The song is faster, and Dakota Scott on keys gets to show his wicked wares here. It’s not the whole song, but a look back at where Ron Keel was, and where he is today. The medley continues with “Somebody’s Waiting,” one of their biggest hits and favorite KEEL tracks. This one stays closer to the original, but is pared down and cleaner than the original. Keel can still hit those notes, and sounds better doing so today than he did in the past. Next is “Tears of Fire,” a sentimental pick for many fans and easily one of the best song’s in KEEL’s varied catalog. Although part of a medley, it’s the entire track re-recorded, an unexpected bonus for everyone out there. It’s just as haunting, but somehow, better. Lastly it’s the song that put KEEL on the map, “Right to Rock,” one of those songs everyone seems to know the words to and brings even the mellowest concert goer to raise his/her metal fist high and scream along.
Fight Like a Band closes with, “Hey Man,” another storytelling song. It’s easier to latch onto a track that has a meaning rather than just words that rhyme, and these guys do it as well as anyone. The solo is noisy and thick, almost foreboding, like FYI … “Hey man, we did the best we could. Oh and remember, no one is here forever, so enjoy it while you can.” That’s the sentiment, not the actual lyrics. Anyway, it’s a poignant and somewhat bereft-feeling song that luckily you can keep going back to.
Fight Like a Band doesn’t sound like a debut album. It sounds like these guys have been together for years making music. But that’s what you get when you have a 35-year Rock ‘n Roll veteran and a talented and experienced group of musicians who all find themselves on the same page, moving the same direction. More words could be said, but in the end, it’s the guys who said it best: “You’re our people, and we’re your band!”
Genre: Hard Rock/Southern Rock/Outlaw Rock ‘N Roll
Band:
Ron Keel – lead vocals, guitar
Jeff Koller – drums, vocals
Geno Arce – bass
DC Cothern – lead guitar
Dakota Scott – keys
Tracklisting:
1. Road Ready
2. Fight Like A Band
3. Rock N Roll Guitar
4. Long Way Down
5. Hearts Gone Wild
6. Good Songs Bad Times
7. Girls Like Me
8. Fire In The Rain
9. Just A Cowboy
10. Old School
11. Keel Medley: Because The Night/Somebody’s Waiting
12. Tears Of Fire
13. The Right To Rock
14. Hey Man
Label: EMP Label Group
Online:
http://ronkeelband.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(9.1 / 10)
