Touring in support of their new album, "Crimes," the Blood Brothers played at Portland, Oregon's Meow Meow this Monday. Knowing I was in for an ear-piercing, bone-breaking, emo-shoving "queer-core" wreckathon, I cheerily offered up my 10 show punchcard to the Meow Meow for admission to what was sure to be, if nothing else, a good time.
Little did I know that what stood between your humble narrator and said "good time" was a duo of laughably predictable "punk" bands, True North and Against Me!. The opening acts were simply awful. Both bands lacked originality and energy, which are what drew me to the show in the first place, as well as talent and even musical proficiency. (Is that too much to ask from a band so dismal in all other respects?)
But with the shitefest out of the way, the Blood Brothers rushed to the stage and commenced rocking nearly immediately. The two singers (Jordan Blilie and Johnny Whitney) belted out impossible frequencies, were relentlessly involved, exuded confidence and, yes, that elusive but precious aura of violent sonic intensity. Backing them up were Waxwing's Cody Votolato on guitar, Morgan Henderson on bass, and Mark Gajadhar on drums. All of the musicians played excellently, keeping pace with rhythmically intense and melodically varying songs without missing a beat.
The new material really stood out, relying far more on melody rather than sheer force and demonstrating that the quintet have matured quite a bit since their 2003 hardcore tour de force "Burn Piano Island, Burn!," putting them in the running for most creative hardcore band making music today. Expect a review of the new album here within the next week.
The Blood Brothers are able to put on a live show that matches the strength of their studio album--something that is by no means easy to do--and they do so in a way that is unavoidably enjoyable. Even if you can't listen to "Burn Piano Island, Burn!" all the way through, you may still come away from a Blood Brothers show satisfied and possibly bruised.
Little did I know that what stood between your humble narrator and said "good time" was a duo of laughably predictable "punk" bands, True North and Against Me!. The opening acts were simply awful. Both bands lacked originality and energy, which are what drew me to the show in the first place, as well as talent and even musical proficiency. (Is that too much to ask from a band so dismal in all other respects?)
But with the shitefest out of the way, the Blood Brothers rushed to the stage and commenced rocking nearly immediately. The two singers (Jordan Blilie and Johnny Whitney) belted out impossible frequencies, were relentlessly involved, exuded confidence and, yes, that elusive but precious aura of violent sonic intensity. Backing them up were Waxwing's Cody Votolato on guitar, Morgan Henderson on bass, and Mark Gajadhar on drums. All of the musicians played excellently, keeping pace with rhythmically intense and melodically varying songs without missing a beat.
The new material really stood out, relying far more on melody rather than sheer force and demonstrating that the quintet have matured quite a bit since their 2003 hardcore tour de force "Burn Piano Island, Burn!," putting them in the running for most creative hardcore band making music today. Expect a review of the new album here within the next week.
The Blood Brothers are able to put on a live show that matches the strength of their studio album--something that is by no means easy to do--and they do so in a way that is unavoidably enjoyable. Even if you can't listen to "Burn Piano Island, Burn!" all the way through, you may still come away from a Blood Brothers show satisfied and possibly bruised.