Irish band features traditional tunes, rock covers and more
By LAURA CARROLL
VIEW STAFF WRITER
VIEW File photoKillian?s Angels members Beth Mullaney, left, and Adrienne Lefebvre perform at Brendan?s Irish Pub inside The Orleans on June 16.
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With the ladies from Killian's Angels, Las Vegas Valley residents can catch Irish fever any time of the year at Brendan's Irish Pub inside The Orleans.
The band, made up of Beth Mullaney, Lisa Viscuglia, Dolly Coulter, Ginger Bruner, Nan Fortier, CJ Borden and Adrienne Lefebvre, keeps audiences lively with Irish drinking songs, rock 'n' roll covers and original music written by Mullaney.
During their performances, the female musicians transform many popular songs into something different, giving classic rock songs an Irish edge.
"That all came out of her head," Viscuglia said of Mullaney.
"I grew into my Irish name big time," Mullaney said. "It works well for us because it's so varied you can do whatever."
Known for their instrumentation, the ladies of Killian's Angels play an assortment of music-making devices, including a harmonica, a melodica (a modified harmonica with a small keyboard on it), a keyboard, a violin, drums, guitars and the "rock 'n' roll tuba."
"We all have different things that we do musically," Mullaney said.
These things include Bruner's strolling tuba act, which extends to unassuming slot where she frequently gets thrown back into the bar by hotel security. During an Angels' performance, audience members can expect multiple Irish toasts and lots of wisecracking, but really it's the way the ladies switch between instruments and play to one another that seems to get the crowd pumping song after song.
"She's actually a band in a box," Viscuglia said of Mullaney.
"We're very versatile," Coulter added. "I get to stretch out and play more instruments."
Don't bank on every Angel being at a performance either, because the women are busy, and you never know who's going to make an appearance.
"We kind of roll the dice to see who shows up," Bruner joked.
For instance, the band has three or four substitute drummers, and Viscuglia's substitute, Lefebvre, may show up on a night when Viscuglia is there, making for an interesting fiddle performance between the two.
"I have the most fun playing with these people," said Viscuglia, who's played with musicians such as Elton John and Stevie Wonder.
Killian's Angels also has a die-hard fan base that, according to the band members, even makes them cookies.
"As the newbie in the group, I think rarely do you find a band that's so engaging with the audience," Lefebvre said. "They're very transparent with their gifts."
"We've had letters from all types of people saying that we made them feel welcome. That makes me feel really good," Mullaney said.
"Everyone who walks in there falls in love with them," Lefebvre added.
As for the Angels' future, Bruner wants to play more festivals, and Mullaney hopes to have the band do some traveling, if their busy schedules permit. The group has recorded two CDs, which are available online at Amazon.com, CD Baby and the band's Web site, www.killiansangels.com.
Killian's Angels will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 17 and 18 inside Brendan's at The Orleans and from 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Rainbow Library Ampitheater, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive.
The group also can be hired for personal performances.
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