You ain't seen the Bottom Dollars till you've seen the Bottom Dollars live. On record they are a pretty good standard issue rock band but on stage they are a loud, hard as fuck hell raising rock and roll band who tore up Arlene's Grocery late Saturday afternoon and spat it back with a vicious little set, hinted at on their current EP, both live and recorded.
The band have a great idea, one I haven't seen used since Oasis heyday, they play all sound, including vocals, at the same volume. And it is like being hit by a freight train. The four piece are fabulous, and lead vocalist Brian (I think: the blonde int he pix) closes his eyes and roars and though his song doesn't have the thickness we assume ever since Bruce, still he pushes what he has full force.
But the keeper here is bassist Chris (don't ask me why they choose not to share their last names), who picks notes and pounds chords with equal strength and seems as intent as McCartney in stealing the melodies away. The set, part of the "No Pulp" is uniformly exciting and dirty but their best song "Fall Into Arms" is so great, I bet they are wondering why the rest of the world hasn't notice yet. That's the song you are listening to a snippet to here.
There is something so thrilling about these boys, you figure they will be drinking your beer and stealing your gal before they hit the stage and have you cheering. A dusty, dirty, working class vibe that will have em killing any concert anything time they feel like doing it and with the distinction of a blue collar art aesthetic. It isn't rare, really, but to do it this well. It is just a blast. It is like a really great bar band in a world where they don't exist. And when they get togther to jam on a song it is a switchblade knife of a sound, it has a smoth sharpness, and a threatening glow.
I gotta tell you something, this is the last CMJ gig I went to over the four days and I don't think I saw a bad one in the lot and this one? Just unbelievable that bands like this are not on the charts. Loud as fuck, indeed.
Grade: B+