Credit: Wiki user IllaZilla
A quintet from Atlanta is causing a ruckus – slowly but surely. Their name began to pop up every once in a while on sites I browsed, most notably on the popular IndieVisionMusic, with buzz surrounding their EP The Death of Day. I downloaded the EP via a free promotional offer, but I was still slow to get on board with them. Then, I was offered the opportunity to review their new LP Garden Window for the small but professional music blog Mezzic, a friend of I am tuned UP. Free press copies of records are nearly always intruiging, so this time I agreed to really take a listen. I was blown away.
Let me back up for a second. O’Brother‘s recent success can largely be attributed to a slew of good opening slots on tours. Not too long ago they were on a short run with the equally good but musically opposite (sort of) Deas Vail, and last fall they landed a slot opening for Thrice, playing alongside the also critically acclaimed La Dispute and Moving Mountains. Now, they apparently have big things coming if justice is to be served.
I’ve caught the guys live twice. First, on the aforementioned Thrice tour and second, at a co-headlining show with dark ambient metal band Junius. They are something to experience in a live setting – its basically required to have full appreciation for their craft. 3 guitars on stage along with one bass and a relatively simple drum kit are quite effective at creating a loud, HUGE wall of sound. Again, the huge and loud experience is not overwhelming – anything less than what O’Brother puts into their shows now and they would be underwhelming, if anything. That, and they are fun to watch – brothers Anton and Johnny Dang are all over the place, getting really into the music and often headbanging in sync. The band is also humble and genuinely appreciative of all their fans and publicity opportunities. I had to opportunity to chat with bassist Anton Dang before their Columbus show with Junius (and it was his birthday, nonetheless!) and he told me that he had read my little review of Garden Window on Mezzic!
Their humility and stage presence is beginning to pay off – at their show in Columbus many in the audience were singing/shouting along and they have landed a slot on Thrice’s farewell tour alongside Animals As Leaders. Given the legendary status of Thrice, no doubt many, many eyes and ears will experience O’Brother for the first time in 2012, and given the almost universal acclaim for the band, they are headed to big places.
That is why I am tuned UP thinks O’Brother is a name to remember.
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