POP REVIEW : GREAT WHITE HOPES TO GET LAST LAUGH

Great White is so intent on being an arena-rock band that it already presents itself as one--even though it’s still operating at the club level. The local group’s concert Friday at The Palace featured so many stale arena trappings that the evening had moments of unintentional humor.

Punctuating its hard-rock anthems with smoke and sophisticated lighting effects is one thing. But considering the size of the stage and venue, having ramps around the drum kit--on which singer Jack Russell occasionally scooted--seemed pretty funny, like an outtake from “Spinal Tap.”

But Great White may end up having the last laugh. Although it doesn’t have as high a profile as some of its headbanging compatriots, this band is no slouch. It’s been around for about five years, made a few records and received substantial airplay locally.

And Friday’s show--which was also an anniversary party for KNAC-FM, marking one year since the station switched to its all-metal “Pure Rock” format--was sold out. On stage, Great White delivered its lean, muscular metal with blast-furnace intensity.

A forceful vocalist who can actually sing as well shriek, Russell was also an energetic, constantly moving frontman-cum-cheerleader. Mark Kendall distinguished himself as one of those rare hard rock guitarists who doesn’t overplay. This is a band that clearly has the potential to become arena headliners. That, no doubt, is the Great White hope.