This year we had the first ever Resurrection of the Bands, an event where we tested a couple new paranormal theories. One of these was to use live music as a tool to help communication with legendary musicians who have passed over. Rek Lee honored the soul of Jimi Hendrix and did so in excellence!  I really dig this guy’s performance. He bleeds music! His energy was all over the place. The results of his performance got interesting feedback from the investigation that followed.

 

Rek Lee is a one man band. He prerecords and mixes all the music and takes the stage as the lead guitarist and vocalist. It’s not just music but music history too that gives him a unique mindset and delivery. This one man band sings with passion and plays his guitar with fire! Not only that but he does his own Dead Legends show where he plays music honoring deceased musicians and paints their portrait at the same time.

 

 I tell you this is more entertaining than it sounds and it does sound damn cool! Rek belongs in a spotlight and I’m giving him one here! You really should check out his youtube videos, his album, “Frowning Suns” and see the entire past, present and future of his skills at a live show!

 

 

THE INTERVIEW

Daniel/LLM: Please introduce yourself and tell me if playing the guitar with peanut butter stuck to your fingers would interfere or enhance your awesome performance.

 

Rek Lee:  Rek Lee, Frowning Suns.  I REK-N-ROLL.  Peanut butter would interfere greatly with my performance and so do blown speakers.

Daniel/LLM: Are you even a peanut butter fan?

 

Rek Lee: I respect peanut butter, but if I don't have to eat that sh#t I won't. I'd rather eat Nutella.

 

 

Daniel/LL M: Ah, gotta respect the Nutella too! Tell me two artists you think would go together like peanut butter and jelly.

 

Rek Lee: Rek Lee and Keith Moon.

 

Daniel/LLM: (laughs) Right on! At the recent Resurrection of the Bands event, what was your overall impression?

 

Rek Lee: It was a very cool concept for a show. 

 

Daniel/LLM: Do you think your performance and honoring of Jimi Hendrix helped bring through the communication?

 

Rek Lee: What I do know is that when I play Jimi, it feels electric!

 

Daniel/LLM: Do you have a personal experience with the paranormal? Please tell us.

 

Rek Lee: I have a video on youtube from Old Louisville--"We did not think we captured anything until we got home and reviewed the tape. We were surprised. We got several CLEAR EVPs as well as a shadow figure through the front door of the Conrad-Caldwell Mansion. It was about 12:30 a.m. Friday, July 29th, 2011. Enjoy"  http://youtu.be/3eVkQ9X_lWk

 

Daniel/LLM: I checked that out actually. Without headphones it’s tough to tell when it comes to EVPs but I did notice what appeared to be a shadow figure. Very cool!

I like that not only are classic rock and rollers an inspiration but music history too, especially jazz history. What is it about the history of music that excites and interests you?

 

Rek Lee Mostly the pioneers in music and especially how the Blues has evolved into modern rock and metal today.

 

Daniel/LLM: I watched a video of you painting while you performed. Your paintings are pretty awesome looking, truthfully. Do you find yourself in a trance when doing that?

 

Rek Lee: Yes, I'm always in a trance when I perform.  Everything and everyone is blocked out. 

 

Daniel/LLM: Is this what your Dead Legends shows are about? Go into detail about that.

 

Rek Lee: Well, under perfect conditions, i.e. weather and venue.  My Dead Legends show would be a mix of me performing and spray painting the legends throughout the show and ending it with a reveal and to sell some original artwork.

 

Daniel/LLM: You have interesting experiences while doing this too, don’t you? In a paranormal sense I mean. Tell us about that.

 

Rek Lee: All I know is, when I get in that zone, it feels like some kind of energy takes over and I'm just on the ride.  Sometimes I feel other energies might be attracted to the intensity or maybe I'm just baked. (laughs)

 

Daniel/LLM: For your “Frowning Suns” album, is this a bunch of cover songs or original music?

 

Rek Lee: Frowning Suns is my original project. You can catch a lot of my first album on ReverbNation where I've been hanging at the top of the charts. Thank you Louisville!  Currently, I’m working on my second album. I'm very proud of it, some of my best work.

 

Daniel/LLM: What style is your original music? With the variety you deliver it must be hard to really pinpoint.

 

Rek Lee: There is that question. To break it down, I would say my music is clean, heavy, funky, punky with old school roots on the rebellious side with a modern twist.  Monster guitar riffs and sick hooks.

 

Daniel/LLM: What is an upcoming tour schedule or show schedule looking like?

 

Rek Lee:  Right now I'm booked every Friday night at The Branding Iron in Springfield, KY.   When I know more I put my shows on ReverbNation and Facebook. 

 

Daniel/LLM: Where can people go for more about you and your music?

 

Rek Lee:

http://www.reverbnation.com/reklee  - My Original Music

http://www.youtube.com/user/FROWNINGSUNS - Youtube Channel, many videos.

Like me on Facebook: - https://www.facebook.com/REKLEESOLO

 

Daniel/LLM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

 

Rek Lee: Support local artists! I would also like to add that I need a bass player and a drummer for my original project. And I'm for hire for parties, promotions, grand-openings, weddings, back-yard bbqs, etc.

 

Daniel/LLM: I tell you what readers, your career looks good if you jump on board. so long as you all have a love for what you are doing and only look at the positives you can be big!

 

Ok, now, here comes that last signature question. Let’s say that you someone tried drowning you in wet paint in your sleep. That bastard! Luckily, one of these famous artists you honor with your music was there to describe step-by-step how to be victorious. Who would this villain be, what artist was coaching you and how did you escape? Then, which song that you perform would best represent this situation?

 

Rek Lee: The villain would be Jim Morrison, because I believe he had a more mischevous, self-centered attitude.  The artist coaching me to escape would be Stevie Ray Vaughn because I believe he and I have a connection and I believe I would click with him. I would have Stevie Ray push Jim into the pool of paint, then I would grab Jim with my Kung Fu grip and then climb over him and out of the paint. I would perform my song, "My World" (look it up) because it is.

 

Daniel/LLM: Fantastic! Rek buddy, it was truly a pleasure getting to know you and your craft. I look forward to much more from you in your future! Thanks also for helping raise awareness for Louisville Limelight Magazine and Caring Across Counties. Keep rockin’ it my friend!

 

Story and interview by

Daniel C. Morrison -Louisville Limelight Magazine