Brant Bjork - Babylon, Ottawa, 30/5/2005
by Andrew Carver
published: 13 / 5 / 2005
intro
70's influenced stoner rocker Brant Bjork is perhaps best known for his work with Nebula. Andrew Carver wtaches him with his new band the Bros play a low-key, but extensive set at the Ottawa Babylon
Brant Bjork and the Bros - Mike Peffer on drums, Dylan Roche on bass, and Cortez on guitar - rolled into Babylon (and that's not all they're rollin' if you catch my drift) for some lowdown groove and the emission of hip vibrations to a decent-sized Monday crowd. No opening act, but who needs one when the headliner steps on stage at 10:45 and steps off at 1 a.m. with only a 15-minute break? Their sound reminds me of a bunch of bands from the Chicano rock scene of the early 1970s: Sapo, Azteca and early Santana. Between Bjork and Cortez’s extra-wide bandannas and Roche’s fly shades and short-brim fedora, the band wouldn't have looked out of place at a West Coast free festival circa 1972. Add some of the desert rock vibe of Kyuss and Queens of The Stone Age and Bjork's past in Nebula and you've got some primo stoner rock. The band revved through several tunes from Bjork’s post-Nebula albums. The riffs were strong, but the band’s laid-back approach and low-key stage performance made for a mellow rather than driving set. The action did pick up a little when Bjork started working some feedback by jamming his guitar headstock into his cab; and his Hendrixian facial expressions definitely added to the retro air. This was followed hrough in a a reinterpretation of Cream’s 'Sunshine of Your Love' and it was 1969 all over again. The band quit the stage for a drink and to use the facilities; then Bjork returned to the stage with Peffer to begin a slow build for another 45 minutes of music. Heavy, man.
Picture Gallery:-
reviews |
Local Angel (2004) |
Suprisingly mellow and overtly laid back space folk rock from ex-Kyuss and Fu Manchu drummer, Brant Bjork on a solo outing |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Michael Lindsay Hogg - Interview
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Prisoners - Interview
Steve Harley - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart