The Beauty Shop - Crisis Helpline

Just what the world needs. Another kick ass band from Champaign, Illinois. The Beauty Shop is three guys, now down to two, with a bass player change, from the Land of Lincoln. They made it first across the pond on Snapper, the label that brought you Peter Green and Splinter Group. Plus a lot of live recordings made by bands that were relevant before bands became mere clothing lines. I think I may have first encountered Snapper a few years ago when I got to meet Peter Green at a Splinter Group concert in Santa Rosa, CA. John "the Godfather of the British Blues" Mayall opened for the guy who B.B. King once said was "the only one who ever scared me." Snapper Records comes in on the fact U.S. Customs figured there must be something suspicious about a guy who changed his name from Greenbaum and grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in the East End of London. So, they confiscated all the band's CDs at the Canadian border. Apparently Snapper passes muster these days because copies of "Crisis Helpline" are readily available here. All songs are by songwriter/guitarist John Hoffleur who's accompanied by new bassist, Ariane Peralta. They produce the likes of "Paper Hearts For Josie," which Hoffleur says is the saddest song he's ever heard. There's a good story about that on the interview video at www.thebeautyshopband.com. There the head Beauty Shopper also offers downloads of "Monster," "...Josie," and the haunting "Rumpelkiltskin Lives." The latter, suffice it to say, is about Columbine. "Monster" covers mental health issues and the others are all influenced by "stuff you hear and stuff you see." Hoeffleur adds that he "likes to play music, not listen to other people's music." Then he invites you to put "Crisis Helpline" on the soundtrack of your life. Just don't forget; you may have to "pay your toll to the Troll" in order to do so. Bonus Points: One English critic notes that "Violent Femmes fans will find much to please them" in the music of The Beauty Shop. [www.thebeautyshopband.com]