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devo says+1 Votes UP / DOWN
An Evening With BRMC
By Devan Cook

Before the show Saturday night I was sitting at my friends house with a group of people when one of them asked, “What kind of music is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club?� I opened my mouth to respond and realized I was at a loss for words. “I don’t know, exactly,� I said, “they are like rock-y, blues-y, country, but like, loud….� my words trailed off. “Well, who do they sound like then? The girl asked me. Again, I didn’t have an answer. “Nobody� I finally responded. There’s a line in the movie Malcolm X when he asks another prison inmate why he doesn’t curse. “A man curses because he doesn't have the words to say what's on his mind.� The man replies. I could relate at this moment, the only words I could find to tell this girl about BRMC was simply “They’re really fucking good.�
Everything about BRMC is true rock and roll. The talent, the lack of showers. The greasy hair and the leather jackets. The booze, drugs and cigarettes. The one thing they are missing are the egos. After the show all three members could be found hanging out in front of the venue, smoking cigarettes and humbly accepting compliments from their fans. “Thanks for the nice long set!� one fan gushed.
“Yeah, thanks for staying around for the whole thing� lead singer/guitarist Peter Hayes replied modestly.
A long set it was indeed. BRMC played for nearly two solid hours for the sold out crowd at the Wonder Ballroom. In that time BRMC more or less gave the audience a history lesson on the evolution of rock and roll music. For the first 20 minutes Peter Hayes played solo. Equipped only with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, he got down to earth and put his heart and soul into some true old fashioned “howling� blues. The audience was divided down the middle, literally. The venue which was segregated by a barrier of 21+ on one side, and youngsters on the other, seemed to have opposing reactions to these songs; mostly from their newest album, Howl. The older crowd would have been satisfied with a completely acoustic set, but the angsty kids were starting to get impatient and started calling out requests for “Whatever Happened To My Rock and Roll?� and “Stop�, BRMC’s louder, hard driving numbers. Complying with their wishes, the rest of the band came out to accompany Hayes and the rock and roll, adrenaline, and strobe lights kicked in. The crowd exploded. On songs like “Gospel Song� the audience seemed almost “entranced� by the music as if they were watching the Lizard King himself performing “The End� at the Whiskey A Go-Go. Then the crowd snapped out of it and bounced around to high energy hits “Spread Your Love� and “Six Barrel Shotgun�.
At the end, after 5 straight minutes of BRMC chanting and foot stomping, the band came out for a 6 song encore to finish the show the way it started, with some good ol’ country and blues. The difference was this time the kids finally got it.

Posted Sunday, March 19, 2006 pm31 at 7:59pm
BennyPost says+1 Votes UP / DOWN
I caught this show and the show in Seattle a few nights later. I'd say this was the better of the two.

While the sound quality at the Showbox may have been better, the band overall seemed to have more energy and songs like Stop, White Palms, Ain't No Easy Way and Spread Your Love rocked a little harder (because of a heavier bass mix). Robert (and even Peter to some extent) definitely had more of a physical presence in Portland and I do believe the lighting was better and a bit more dramatic.

Both shows were amazing, but this one was the real winner. Can't wait to hear a new album in the near future and can't wait to see these guys again! Just an amazing, amazing, amazing band.
Posted Monday, March 27, 2006 am31 at 1:18am
Blues says-11 Votes UP / DOWN
I just want to say how amazing it is to see the band play live again… It was worth the travel and ordeal to get there… `

They locked it .. that night… the stage was there’s playing field… and did that field play….. seriously…….

MERCY…. MERCY…. MERCY…………
Robert that is the most poetic song I have EVER heard live……..

The Chemistry * the synchronicity….the splendor…
Peter, nick (with spike to the side…..)
wow……
peter hunched over playing his way.. nick swaying around with his tamorine….
Robert singin his heart out……….
Wow………. Thank you soo much Robert……… amazing……..
It may be bit country..
But it is the best think it is the cream of the crop …

Thank you Thank you Thank you………. The sound was amazing…. The atmosphere interesting…….. but we dance it all out… and we danced it for them……
It was nice to yall again….

Thanks for playing it was amazing…. THANK YOU………

Posted Monday, March 27, 2006 pm31 at 11:11pm
Sizzle says0 Votes UP / DOWN
I hooked up with old friends in Portland (a married couple who met at a Jesus & Mary Chain show in San Jose back in 1991...) and we had a great, great show. After Peter hit the stage solo, I had chills up my spine -- I'd never seen such raw, unbridled talent. It made me so damn happy to see someone that comfortable in their own skin...what a sea of influences. Anything from bayou-bent Johnny Cash to crank-fueled Motorhead. Loved every minute of it. The Wonder is a super groovy venue. Sounds like I caught a great show (better than the Showbox gig a couple nites later).

can't wait for more.

Sizzle
Posted Tuesday, April 18, 2006 am30 at 9:23am