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Live review: Bloody Knives, the Zoltars
Some bands ditch the bass, opting instead for one or two guitars that can play the low notes when needed. The guys in Austin rock/stoner metal/psychedelic band Bloody Knives do the opposite (at least in a live setting), proving that the bass/drums/synthesizer setup can work for a rock band. What’s more is that the Knives’ music comes across as thoughtful as it is forceful on stage. Each component is somewhat understated — everyone is playing loud but nobody is hitting you over the head. Friday night at Beerland, the band created a wave of sound that was both in-your-face and completely out-there, with lead singer/bassist Preston Maddox’s vocals sounding as if they are coming from another dimension. Synth player Jim Moon added to that other-worldliness with a psychedelic sound scape that didn’t overpower the music (he also goes nuts as he’s playing, as if he’s the one on that missing guitar), as did drummer Jake Mccown who is capable of playing at lightning-fast speeds. Together, what you get is a band that can offer a nice combination of moments of rage punctuated by trippy interludes full of electronic effects and feedback.
It’s hard to pin down Austin three-piece the Zoltars. Lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Jared Zoltar (yes, they all go by Zoltar) cites the Velvet Undeground and Wreckless Eric as his biggest influences. Wreckless Eric was/is into late 1960’s producer Joe Meek, and that influence seems to be present as well — a lot of the Zoltars songs, sung without too much concern for melody, are awesomely strange and reminiscent of weird Meek-produced bands like the Honeycombs. Jared has a way of luring the audience into his own world, often beginning with a slow, methodical approach (with drummer Donald Zoltar laying down sparse, almost hypnotic rhythms) and transitioning to a looser, more chord-heavy ending. Friday they played their album, a catchy concept piece about a relationship (or lack there of), in its entirety. Jared pointed out that this was the first time the band had played some of these songs live, which made him nervous. His nerves didn’t impact the set, which had life from beginning to end. They also threw in “Homicide,” a funny, twisted tune that appeared on the Zoltars 7” EP last December, to close the night out.
Listen to Bloody Knives on MySpace and Bandcamp.
Listen to the Zoltars on MySpace and Bandcamp.
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