POP MUSIC REVIEW : Living Colour Plays Own Shade of Rock in Its Southland Debut

New York-based Living Colour is a new group aiming to overcome the resistance by record companies and radio against black bands that want to play hard rock, and at its Los Angeles debut this week at the Roxy, headbangers, funksters and musicologists alike had a fabulous time on their own (and the band’s own) terms.

The quartet, a classic power-trio-plus-singer configuration, can play like nobody’s business--starting with its best-known member, guitarist/songwriter Vernon Reid, whose two biggest claims to fame are playing on Mick Jagger’s last album and being a founding member of the Black Rock Coalition.

Reid has already emerged as a furious fretman and potential Guitar Player magazine cover story with the band’s debut LP, “Vivid.” Live, though, the real revelations were the stormy invention of the rhythm section (jazz-trained drummer William Calhoun and bassist Muzz Skillings) and how much braided singer Corey Glover looks and sounds like a less-stuck-on-himself Terence Trent D’Arby.

The set’s first number, “Funny Vibe,” was a rap/metal/psychedelic song dealing thoughtfully with the inbred racism of fear that might cause someone to walk on the other side of the street from these guys at night. (Not that their haircuts might not scare someone too; Reid’s looked like a pack of worms busting out of his skull.)

The second number was an unrecognizable rendition of Talking Heads’ “Memories Can’t Wait” as if performed by Jimi Hendrix, with a reggae passage thrown in for confusing measure. The third selection, “Desperate People,” sounded like D’Arby fronting a heavy metal band. And that was just the first 15 minutes.

Rock’s roots are black enough that these four could play metal till dawn without apologizing to anyone, but Living Colour’s appreciation for black music extends to the modern, ensuring plenty of funk in the stew.

Yet while one is glad these musicians have listened to Parliament and Prince, one may be even gladder they are at least as influenced by the MC5. Now that is progressive.

Living Colour plays Sunday at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Tickets: $10. Information: (714) 496-4927.