LOS ANGELES, CA- The guitar and drums duo for blues rock can often seem like an overused formula, but when it’s as raw and visceral the Great Sadness, it’s pretty damn dope.

This L.A. based band features guitarist/singer Cathy Cooper and drummer Stephen McNeely and the blend of punk and delta blues that I heard them play at the The Hi Hat got the blood coursing through my veins. While their songs may not be as anthemic as the White Stripes (I apologize for the obvious comparison, but it couldn’t be helped especially since Cathy plays a real mean slide guitar just like Jack), it bangs with the same kind of ferocity and attitude.

McNeely’s drumming was steady and ominous, but it was Cathy’s firm vocals (especially when she belted melodies from the alto range of her register) and demeanor on stage that captured my attention. Her hair was twisted up in a beehive to begin the performance, but as the set progressed, and she banged her head with every rocking downbeat, it unravelled and flowed just as wildly as her music.

There’s nothing glum about The Great Sadness. To put it simply, they rock.

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The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.
The Great Sadness @ The Hi Hat 12/30/17. Photo by Derrick K. Lee, Esq. (@Methodman13) for www.BlurredCulture.com.

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