Review: 'Relish' by Dave Kalz

Dave Kalz

By Mike O’Cull

Milwaukee-area guitarist and vocalist Dave Kalz shows us all how the trick is done on his blazing new platter Relish. Set to drop June 25th, 2021 on Mike Zito’s Gulf Coast Records imprint, the set is Kalz’s debut recording as a leader and shows him to be a musician of considerable depth. The 11 all-original songs on Relish were produced by Blues Music Award winner Mike Zito and feature Kalz and his regular band along with a few special guests, including boss man Zito, himself.

The full lineup for the album includes Dave Kalz (guitars and vocals), Greg Hulub (bass guitar and backup vocals), Kevin McDonald (drums), Mike Zito (slide guitar on “Werewolf Blues,” guitar on “Playing the Blues with My Friends”),Tony Campanella (guitar on “Playing the Blues with My Friends”),and Lewis Stephens (keyboards on “Mexico”). Together, they make a powerful unit ideal for bringing Kalz’s well-crafted songs to life.

Dave Kalz and Mike Zito first met 30 years ago in their mutual hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. It made perfect sense for the two friends to return there and track Relish at Sawhorse Studios. Kalz began his career in the late 90s as an original member of Devon Allman’s Honeytribe. The group toured in support of Devon’s dad Gregg Allman and also gigged with the likes of The Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, Chuck Berry, Little Feat, Molly Hatchet, Night Ranger, and Gregg Rolie. Kalz later relocated to his current home base of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “After the original music scene and the downtown nightlife in St. Louis partially collapsed,” he said, ”I stuck it out for another decade or so. However, I recently moved to the Milwaukee area, which is, of course, mighty close to Chicago.” Kalz is now in the perfect place for a player of his caliber and style to build a solid following and take his show to new heights.

Kalz kick starts Relish with the rollicking groove of “Mexico,” a song that he had back-burnered for many years until producer Zito convinced him he had to record it. That was clearly the proper decision and the track’s rolling feel, heavy chorus, and guitar heroics make it a musical singularity that immediately separates Kalz from his competition. “Mexico” is unique and compelling, which puts it well on the road to being timeless and establishes Kalz as his own man, not just another soundalike blues brother. Right away, you know he means business.

Dave Kalz’s title cut “Relish” shows the influence of those classic pre-drum machine ZZ Top albums we all love mixed with his own songwriting and soloing vibe. He keeps his lyrics cryptic, though, and wants fans to interpret the song for themselves. In any case, it’s a big blast of stony, blues/rock fun that should make friends everywhere it goes. Kalz has the rare ability to reference the music he loves without imitating it and he uses it here to maximum effect. “Werewolf Blues” adds Mike Zito’s slide guitar to Kalz’s gritty, minor key workout and he helps bring out the ghostly best the song has to give. These two play together like the old friends they are and push each other to achieve greatness.

Kalz adds a surf/rockabilly flavor to the record with the wild and wonderful “She’s Got A Hemi.” It’s an old-school jam about a hot girl with a hot car that will get your blood pumping and your RPMs approaching the red line. Dave’s twangy, dissonant licks are fueled up, ready to party, and show a different side of his wide-ranging style. His gruff, dramatic vocals only add to this song’s experience. Be sure to also rock with “Taxman,” “Route 666,” and “I Can’t Quit Ya’ Baby,” which goes all the way back to Kalz’s Honeytribe days. Dave Kalz is a big talent with a particular take on guitar music that’s innovative and modern. Relish is only the first taste of his skills to emerge but it will get you standing in line for more. Add it to your summer rotation right now.

Listen to “Flying High”