Gary Sohmers - Beasties A Sci-Fi Opera

​Gary Sohmers

Beasties A Sci-Fi Opera
​self-released; 2023

​By ​Dino DiMuro

Gary Sohmers is well-known as “the King of Pop Culture” for his many appearances on the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” where his knowledge of pop culture collectibles and toys comes quite handy. However, Sohmers has had a parallel career in music, having produced over 1000 concerts including artists like Mike Bloomfield, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, The Siegel-Schwall Band, Styx, The Sons of Champlin, Richie Havens and Genesis with Peter Gabriel. His most recent project is Beasties: A Sci-Fi Rock Opera, currently available on streamers.

This album is not just a rock opera, but a “cast concept album” that Sohmers plans to turn into a roadshow event with a Broadway run down the line. Sohmers describes it as “a pop culture work of art aimed at saving the planet and humanity from climate destruction and societal corporate corruption.” Tom Majesky plays guitar. Bill Holloman (Chic, Nile Rodgers) co-wrote, arranged and orchestrated the album, with mixing by Paul David Hagar (Miley Cyrus, Katie Perry, Jonas Brothers). Mastering was by Emily Lazar and Chris Allgood at The Lodge, New York. There are 17 songs over two albums (almost two hours!), so I’ll mention some of the highlights.

The curtain rises, so to speak, with the “Beasties Overture.” You can imagine sitting in a darkened theater as phased clouds of sound slowly rise around you. At the exact one minute mark, a solo electric rhythm guitar blasts forth with a chunky, engaging rock instrumental. “Good Old Friend” features the full band for the first time, and it’s clear the music will owe much to bands like Rush, Boston and even Sohmers’ early discovery, Styx. Lead singer David Bickler appears as Grā, an impulse from the cosmic universe, along with soul singer Barrence Whitfield as the “star” of the concert, appropriately named Voice. The music is classic rock with a prog edge, backed up with chorus singers, horns and wailing leads. All the previous cast members are then joined by Liz Proteau in “Forever Girl” as the female lead Terra. The verses have some of Bowie’s majesty (“Sons of the Silent Age”) while the chorus has a Monkees-like accessibility. Even more surprising is a duet of Allmans-like slide guitars in the middle section.

“Knock It All Down” is an amusing, engaging reggae detour featuring LaVon Fisher-Wilson. “Even the Cool Succumb” introduces actual British rock star Chris Farlowe (he worked with the Stones, Jimmy Page, Van Morrison and more) as the villain Dick Traitor. Great voice, with some of the jolly menace of Tim Curry and the power of Roger Daltrey. “Beasties” is sort of the title track, introducing the stars of the saga with spirited vocals from the whole gang. Terrific harmonies and fun rhymes distinguish this song. 

“Dinosaur Rock” has a similar arrangement but has lots of fun with the tropes of classic rock, with the chorus sung like cavemen. Some very cool percussion in the final third. “Stand Up and Be Counted” is the most Broadway-sounding track thus far, stretching all the way back to “The Music Man” (you may not get that reference, but Sohmers certainly does!). Imagine a marching band playing a new, original song and you’re halfway there. “Empathy” is another stage-ready extravaganza, with an interesting twist on McCartney’s “Mother Natures’s Son.” 

“Love and Let Love” features a welcome solo moment for Liz Proteau, whose voice compares favorably with Disney heroines like The Little Mermaid. The other voices are quite amusing, and also reminiscent of outlandish Disney characters. “Dive” is one of the hardest rockers, with blistering riffs, growling vocals along and spooky blues-infected background soloing. Just to make sure all genres are represented, “Why” is jumpin’ funk fest with a full horn section, Dr. John-style piano and amazing percussion. 

“The Price of a Kiss” is a fully produced folk-country detour from the Jimmy Webb-Warren Zevon school. You can see both the pedal steel and the big performance stage in your mind’s eye. Great vocals from Bickler and Proteau. Jumping ahead to the big 7-minute conclusion, the whole cast assembles for an Off Broadway extravaganza, starting out playing rock but quickly morphing into the ultimate showtune. I’m feeling a lot of late-60’s influence here, as well I should. “Be kind to all / kindness is the currency / spend freely!”

There’s lots to experience here, as you’d expect for an audio show hoping to hit the footlights to packed houses. Get in early and have a great time!

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