My friend called me late last night with an invitation to a bar in Winooski, VT (next to Burlington) to see a few small bands, their acts described collectively as “pop-infused art punk”. Not quite my cup of tea, but I went anyway with no expectations. The final act, Nashville’s JEFF the Brotherhood, ended up blowing me away and I went home sweaty, sore, and half-deaf with a smile on my face.
JEFF the Brotherhood is comprised of brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall, who managed to get 50 VT locals dancing hard on a Monday night for about an hour with nothing but a three string guitar, a three piece drumset and a microphone. The duo banged out hard, somewhat psychadelic grunge rock with heavy, surfy riffs, and intense buildups and breakdowns, all with a sort of deadpan, goofy air. Jake, in the middle of the dancable jams, would wander around the crowd and on the bar with his guitar while Jamin rocked the snare with a concentrated facial expression reminiscent of John Belushi. These guys just like to let loose, have fun, engage the crowd, and I bet they’ll hit the big scene.
The brothers just released their fourth studio album, titled Heavy Days, and are in the middle of a year-long nationwide tour. Catch them at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC this Saturday and get ready to rock hard. Note: I saw a bactrian camel on my way home. This brought the experience full circle.
Photos via Panahe Booking and Sound of the City.
That band rules, heard they are crazy dudes though
Sweet review! I totally agree that the Brotherhood is a great live act.