Requisite Near-Halfway Tour Update, Complete with Love
Here we are, in the pouring rain that we brought to Oakland, CA, after sharing the stage with yet another gang of amazing musicians, to pile on top of the already vast collection from the first two weeks of the tour. Last night, it happened to be Cash Pony and Night Worship and two sets that ranged from technical precision and immense groove to wide-open atmospheric terror. We have these gents to thank for ushering us into Oakland and making us feel damn good about it. We'll definitely be back.
If I had updated this all along I'd have given my best music-writer's look at all the unbelievable bands we were lucky enough to stumble across and befriend on the way out here, but, as it stands, I'll take it a little bit at a time.
These guys (Tom, especially) helped us out in a huge way with Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. Especially important to note, because we left New York for the second time in as many days, in a rush for The Empty Bottle and with a lot of stress in tow. With all that behind us, these three cities couldn't have been better to us for our first three days away from home.
That said, this band also fucking destroys. Unbelievable playing by each of the three instrumentalists and really clever and thoughtful compositions beyond that. They make an album like they're starting over every time, a formula that most musicians would be too terrified to attempt, and it's a testament to their versatility and sheer love for music that they can execute each attempt, seemingly with ease.
They also offered me nude pics. They'll be posted thusly.
Northless (Milwaukee, WI):
This might have been the most brutal set we've witnessed since we got out here. Dudes have guitar amps that most bass players would be scared to use and they don't waste a drop of the power they have behind them. Their songs are thick, sludgy, groovy and fucking heavy beyond words, but also with an attention to detail that rarely appears in what I know from this brand of heavy music. If you ever have a chance to see them live, please please do. The rumbling in your spine will thank you.
It should also be noted that their drummer, John, stuck his neck out for us beyond any expectation, and basically assured that Milwaukee would come out in force for us. Too cool.
Morality Crisis (Minneapolis, MN):
When I first saw the title of the opening track on these guys' album, "Boats," I knew I was going to like them. "Enormous Fucking Death Ass Knife" is the meanest track on the album, but by no means covers all the bases in their repertoire. They manage to do all the shit that I wish hardcore was all about, but sadly isn't, and they have an unbelievable tone to back up all the fucked-up jagged riffage (yes!) and pounding drum-mania.
They're also some serious characters and their man, Pete, put a lot of legwork into helping that show come together, on top of lending us his floor to sleep on, even at 3:30 in the morning.
Oh, and watch their video for my favorite track title of all time... Jesus.
Enormous Fucking Death Ass Knife
Honorable Mention - Adam Tucker (Minneapolis, MN)
This guy was the other force behind our Minneapolis show and he records the heavy music of the Twin Cities like no one else. When I was told he was the Colin Marston of Minneapolis I didn't expect them to look alike, but whoa. Dude also played a mean bass with the band, Vernon Wayne, who opened the show.
Check him the fuck out. Mastermind shit.
That only gets us through the first three shows, and, of course, I'm realizing now that I forgot all about New York. FUCK!! There will be way more to come.
We also have a ton of live recordings from the tour so far, and we'll be adding to the pile every night until we're home. Stay tuned for that and maybe some other special tour-related shit.
