Spinning Platters

Trying to sell my friends on joining me for this show was not an easy feat, mostly because Murder By Death is a band that manages to keep themselves just out of bounds of many traditional descriptions of sound. They’re not quite indie, but they’re not quite rock or punk, either; they can’t really be called folk or country-western, but they also aren’t totally dark Americana rock; and they have many songs that could very well be old stomping drinking ballads, were it not for the frenetic guitar solos and furious cello picking in the middle of the verses. However, they are remarkable at incorporating all of these factors, as well as a host of neighbors, into their work, so a Murder By Death show is one part rock and roll, two parts bouncing and dancing, three parts passionate and furious rhythms and melodies; shake, strain, no chaser — unless you count a glass of bourbon. I had previously seen Murder By Death sandwiched in between a Christian death metal band and a thundering stoner-rock juggernaut, so it was quite a treat to see them take center stage for their 2015 tour promoting their latest work, Big Dark Love.

Continue reading “Show Review: Murder By Death with Rocky Votolato at The Independent, 2/5/2015”

In 2012, post-grunge heroes Bush embarked on a national tour across the US, but not as the headlining band; instead, they played third fiddle to two other modern arena staples, Seether and Nickelback. For fans of the English rockers that took the 90s by storm, this was an utterly perplexing move; Bush’s tenure far outstripped either of the acts they were opening for, and as far as musical association, they were far more based in grunge and even experimental sound than the radio-friendly crunch-and-stomp of their tourmates. Apparently, however, this association didn’t vanish after that tour, as I found myself arguing this very same point with a friend days before this show. Despite his insistence that the pop caliber and gravel-tinged vocals put them at the same point of similarity as their Canadian cohorts from two years prior, I fiercely maintained that Bush’s dynamic songwriting, complex lyricism, and constant sway between snarlingly raw and shimmeringly electronic production have placed them in a position that few other acts manage to span in their career. Friday’s show proved that I was not the only one who was still passionate in these beliefs, as Bush kicked off their 2015 headlining tour at The Masonic in San Francisco before a massive crowd that joined in unison to sing and sway to tunes both new and old, every moment indulging in the music that poured over them.

Continue reading “Show Review: Bush with Theory Of A Deadman and Stars In Stereo at the Masonic, 1/30/2015”