Neurosis at Summit Music Hall, 2/16/13
Brandon Marshall Native Daughters on stage at the Summit Music Hall. Slide show: Neurosis and fans at the Summit
Earlier in the evening, Native Daughters opened the show with a very low-end heavy set of music. This seemed the best way for a band like this to fly because between Justin Hackl and Eddie Maestas, there was plenty of wiry and cutting mid-range fret work with delicate melodies sometimes floating over the top.
Brandon Marshall Native Daughters on stage at the Summit Music Hall. Slide show: Neurosis and fans at the Summit
While two drummers may seem like one too many, Colin Madden and Thomas Chagolla make the arrangement work; often Madden will take the direct rhythm while Chagolla hits the accents and textures a bit more while also keeping the kick beat. Gene Martinez, meanwhile, seemed to steer this ship in a way on bass by keeping the melody and the percussion going in the same direction. The whirlpool of sound had a subtle dynamism that hopefully wasn't lost on people.
Brandon Marshall Native Daughters on stage at the Summit Music Hall. Slide show: Neurosis and fans at the Summit
Munly & The Lupercalians came on stage next, and except for Munly himself, the band looked like figures out of some kind of home grown ritualistic cult with two of the percussionists wearing stylized burlap masks, the drummer wearing a face mask made out of what looked like two fans of twigs/weeds glued together, and the two keyboard players wearing tall, black, pointed hats/face masks.
Brandon Marshall Munly & The Leperalinans on stage at the Summit Music Hall. Slide show: Neurosis and fans at the Summit
It was a bit gimmicky, yes, but in an original and theatrical way that suited this music that goes beyond what those of us who have seen Munly play with various groups over the years. It's doesn't really resemble Slim Cessna, nor is it akin to the dark, carnival rodeo music of the Lee Lewis Harlots or even the haunted folk music many of us got to see in the '90s. Rather, this was a strong set of songs that incorporated purely electronic sounds into a dark, organically atmospheric music that builds on what has always made Munly interesting performance-wise -- a stage persona that's part engaging, part comedic frontman, part forbidding caretaker and part preacher.
Brandon Marshall Munly & The Leperalinans
Personal Bias: During a time, I pretty much hated all metal. Neurosis was one of the few bands that I not only tolerated from that world but one that I even loved. Now as a musician that doesn't hate metal but also doesn't play it, Neurosis is a consistent source of inspiration for the way it continues to make creatively vibrant and powerful music not short on imagination.
Random Detail: Scott Kelly was wearing a Raiders-era Bill Romanowski jersey.
By the Way: I ran into Deirdre Sage from Kissing Party, Joe Myer from In the Company of Serpents, David Mead of Echo Beds, Scott Schulman and Jacob Archuleta of Skully Mammoth, Taylor Iversen of Black Sleep of Kali, Dan Barnett of Tamed Animals, Paul Alexander of Action Friend and many other people at this show. Someone remarked that it was like you walk in and run into someone in some band in Denver, regardless of what style of music they play.
Neurosis
Summit Music Hall - 2/16/13
Denver, CO
01. Eye (Through Silver in Blood
02. My Heart For Deliverance (Honor Found in Decay
03. At the End of the Road (Given to the Rising)
04. Times of Grace (Times of Grace)
05. Distill (Given to the Rising)
06. At the Well (Honor Found in Decay)
07. The Tide (A Sun That Never Sets)
08. We All Rage in Gold (Honor Found in Decay)
09. Bleeding the Pigs (Honor Found in Decay)
10. Given to the Rising (Given to the Rising)
11. Locust Star (Through Silver in Blood)
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Summit Music Hall
1902 Blake St., Denver, CO
Category: Music
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