Brand New
Showbox Sodo, Seattle, WA
08.31.14
Brand New capped off August with a serious exclamation point, playing at Sodo to a rabid, sold out crowd that could never be satiated. Some fans flew in from other states, others hoarded tickets. Some said they regularly ignore shows altogether, except for the ‘special’ bands. No matter. However they arrived here, clearly, they all shared one point in common: they will fight you if you cut them in this line.
At 9:55 on the dot, Brand New began their set in total darkness, lullabied with the sweet, sweet sounds of Olivia Newton John’s “Please Don’t Keep Me Waiting.” The whole track. They opened with “You Won’t Know,” and without hesitation the crowd surfing and moshing commenced. In the fog and mysterious dim lighting, singer Jesse Lacey was visible only with flashes of his red shirt, as Brand New became mere outlines; dark silhouettes haunting the floor of the stage, gutting noise from instrument in a beautiful, carnal manner.
Floral vines sat wrapped around the mic as Lacey sold the audience on a chorus of happy birthday for drummer Brian Lane, who was turning 45. As we speak so fondly of time, “Seventy Times Seven” was the oldest song they pulled from their catalogue at Sodo, bringing back maybe some not-so-fond memories of long ago band feuds. A second drummer joined Brand New this evening, whose work was most evident in “You Stole” and “Luca.” Lacey sprinkled a few words throughout the show, most notably relaying this blurb: “My wife asked me how I managed to be so successful, because nobody knows how unmotivated and lazy I am more than my wife…” Ultimately, he gave plenty of credit to Lane, who Lacey said took on many of the organizational and marketing responsibilities of running a successful band.
As the fever pitch subsided and the air became unforgivingly hot (Re: Lacey: “Oh my God it’s hot in here!”), he finished “Limousine” solo, sitting on the corner of the drum platform with his guitar in his lap, screaming at the top of his lungs, at times arching his neck like a wolf, carrying ungodly sound without any assistance from a mic. Even more memorable was his updated version of “Soco Amaretto,” a fitting end to their set. As the song wound down, Lacey replaced the final lyrics, instead repeating, ‘I’m just jealous cause you’re young and in love…’ While funny, it was tainted more with sadness, and a stark realization that the clock hasn’t stopped ticking, even for Brand New.
Oklahoma-based Broncho took the opening slot tonight, consisting of five members who played 11 songs in a solid 30 minute set. As they wait to drop their sophomore album, Just Enough Hip To Be Woman, on September 16, Broncho is currently out ’round these parts for the next two months. They put a fresh face on classic fuzzy punk sounds, and lead man Ryan Lindsey holds nothing back in his eager and energetic lyrical style.
Hailing from Torrance, California, Joyce Manor kicked it into second gear and, for a solid half hour, made two-minute slaps in your face enjoyable. They sounded and looked great, reminding me that the all-important pocket they fill in their genre will never evolve into something unpalatable. It is, and always will be, loud, fast, amazing, and honest. They finished their 12-song set with “Heart Tattoo.” Riding the wave of their third album released in July, Never Hungover Again, Joyce Manor is on a never-ending quest to take over the world, with European dates beginning in November. I highly recommend finding time for them in your audio life.
Brand New Set List:
You Won’t Know
Degausser
Sink
Gasoline
At the Bottom
You Stole
Sic Transit Gloria
I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light
Okay I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don’t
Seventy Times Seven
Sowing Season
Luca
Limousine
Jesus Christ
Soco Amaretto
Review by T. Monte
Photos by Sunny Martini
Brand New
