A3 Mixes Blues, Funky Beats at Frequency

An electric boogie band mixing ambient, airy atmospherics with earthy gospel and country blues? A British group fronted by an “evangelist” calling himself the Very Rev. Dr. D. Wayne Love of the First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine?

These are the distinguishing characteristics of A3, which brought its unusual dance club rave meets back-porch blues to Frequency at the Hollywood Athletic Club on Friday. Though the sound system made understanding the lyrics nearly impossible, one couldn’t miss Dr. Love’s self-congratulatory, between-song rap: “This is what Hank Williams would be doing in 1998!”

As gimmicky as it sounds, the songs, primarily from A3’s Geffen debut album, “Exile on Coldharbour Lane,” were surprisingly serious and apparently heartfelt. Garbed in wide-brim hats, sunglasses and suits that would go well with mint juleps, the group tackled politics (“Bourgeoisie Blues”), salvation (“Sister Rosetta”) and shattered souls (“Peace in the Valley”). Lead singer Larry Love delivered them against funky dance beats and slinky keyboard blurps in a gravelly, gothic purr that brought to mind the hypnotic powers of Leonard Cohen.

Thankfully, A3’s ironic wackiness is only frosting designed to make its dance fusion entertaining live. When you listened closely, the Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf samples seemed more uplifted and revered than mocked or manipulated in A3’s heady, stomping electronic swirl.