Guest Spots: Lisa Kekaula

Lisa and Bob onstage in Newcastle, 2016

When she's not leading her band The BellRays,  Lisa Kekaula is in demand as a guest vocalist. Her recording career started in 1990, when she and husband Bob Vennum released an LP as The Rosethorns called Ralph's Mom And Dad. This album was reissued in 2008 as Rosethorns by Bob & Lisa. 

The BellRays' self-titled cassette also came out in 1990. Both the cassette and the Rosethorns' LP were produced by Tony Bramel (aka Tony Fate), who was the frontman of early 80's punk band The Sins. Tony soon joined The Bellrays, and he and Vennum began writing songs that blended punk, soul, funk and garage rock influences.

In 2003, Lisa Kekaula was one of several guest vocalists on the Basement Jaxx album Kish Kash and The Crystal Method's Legion Of Boom. This was followed by further collaborations with Basement Jaxx, The Bloody Beetroots, and other EDM artists.

Lisa has also guested with some gnarly guitarists, including Detroit legends Dennis Coffey and Wayne Kramer. She sang with the DKT-MC5 for several years. 

In 2014, Stooges guitarist James Williamson released Re-Licked, with new versions of songs from Kill City. Again, Lisa Kekaula was one of the guest vocalists. The album was followed by a 2016 single of new songs by Kekaula and Williamson.

Lisa with Mark Arm and Wayne Kramer in 2006

Last year, The BellRays recorded a version of "Teaching You The Fear" for the Really Red tribute album. Lisa Kekaula and Bob Vennum host frequent online events, and January 2021, Lisa was a guest on Lydia Lunch's podcast. 

Christmas is coming, and The BellRays have an album of seasonal songs! Like many artists, they had to cancel a lot of shows, so buy something from their store and make their Christmas a little brighter.

PHOTOS: The Northern Echo (top); Jim Dyson (bottom)