Over the last few years, there seems to be some sort of uneasy convergence of indie rock and jambands playing out at summer music festivals across the nation (the rumored line-up for Bonnaroo, thought still unofficial, is a key example). Whether or not this phenomenon is actually happening is certainly debatable, and perhaps calls for a broader discussion at a later time. But if there’s any band that could capture the resulting mix of audiences and attract both crowds, Brothers Past is it.
Every time I see Brothers Past, I have moments where I think the band is really onto something cool: a dynamic sound that blends solid emotional songwriting with some seriously heavy live electronic dance music. There are hints of Stereolab, Radiohead, and plenty of jamming that borders on drum’n’bass DJ territory. Not only can BP put on a ridiculous live performance, but their songwriting and studio output is really well-done (esp. if you want to compare them other bands of the jammier variety).
But I’ve always had a sense that people don’t quite know what to do with BP. More than once I’ve heard someone say something along the lines of “what is this like Emo-techno?” Fans that are open to their extended dance-laden improvisations naysay Tom Hamilton’s “whiny” vocals (yet, they seem to love Thom Yorke?), while the kids on the “indie rock” side of the fence just aren’t sure about all the friggin jamming. Or even worse, they’ve never heard of them or have simply written them off as a wannabe Disco Biscuits. Ugh.
But BP’s got me. When it comes down to it, they do two things well: 1) write good songs and 2) create sounds that make me groove. Ain’t nothing wrong with that…
Tourdates after the jump…
Brothers Past just announced their spring tour, including a few opening spots for Umphrey’s McGee, a latenight slot at moe’s Snoe.down festival (which was covered here and discussed in-depth here), and at Summer Camp:
Brothers Past 2007 Tour Dates (updated 2.10.07):
Friday, March 2, THE CANAL CLUB, Richmond, VA Existor supports
Saturday, March 3, CHAMELEON CLUB, Lancaster, PA
Saturday, March 10, RIVER STREET JAZZ CAFE, Plains, PA
Wednesday, March 14, THE POUR HOUSE MUSIC HALL, Raleigh, NC
Thursday, March 15, VISULITE THEATER, Charlotte, NC
Friday, March 16, THE POUR HOUSE, Charleston, SC
Saturday, March 17, SMITH’S OLDE BAR, Atlanta, GA
Saturday, March 24, SNOE.DOWN – WISE GUYS, Lake Placid, NY
Friday, April 6, JAVA BARN, Canton, NY FREE SHOW!!
Saturday, April 7, HIGHER GROUND, S. Burlington, VT
Wednesday, April 11, CALVIN THEATRE, Northampton, MA – supporting UM
Thursday, April 12, THE AVALON, Boston, MA – supporting UM
Friday, April 13, BB KING’S, NYC – latenight post-UM show
Saturday, April 14, 9:30 CLUB, Washington DC – supporting UM
Thursday, April 19, 123 PLEASANT STREET, Morgantown, W.VA
Friday, April 20, BEAT KITCHEN, Chicago, IL – GREEN APPLE FESTIVAL
Saturday, April 21, BEAT KITCHEN, Chicago, IL – GREEN APPLE FESTIVAL
Sunday, April 22, HIGH NOON SALOON, Madison, WI
Tuesday, April 24, CANOPY CLUB, Urbana, IL
Thursday, April 26, UNCLE FESTER’S, Bloomington, IN
Friday, April 27, MAGIC STICK, Detroit, MI
Saturday, April 28, GROG SHOP, Cleveland, OH
Saturday, May 12, SONAR, Baltimore, MD
Saturday, May 19, WORLD CAFE LIVE, Philadelphia, PA
Summer Camp Date TBA (either 5/25, 5/26, or 5/27)
