Autry Fulbright, the creative force behind Midnight Masses and member of Trail of Dead, exuded raw energy at the group’s final U.S. show before departing on a European tour. As the band plays their sprawling, psychedelic tunes, Fulbright leans out into the crowd, contorts his body as he sings, spreads his arms like a being ready to ascend to the next spiritual realm. The songs are noisy and unpredictable, bass thudding alongside wandering saxophone notes. The crowd has come to join in worship in this dark ritual, and they love it.
Earlier in the night, BLXPLTN kicked off the evening with their punishing and austere rap-punk. Caustic and buzzing, the trio powers through sections of bleak, disjointed guitars and synths while shrieking nearly unintelligible lyrics. The band won’t be for everyone, but one thing is for sure: this a project that’s worth seeing; they’re doing something that has to be recognized as brave and divergent. Even if you decide you don’t like it in the end, you won’t be bored checking it out. They’re playing a lot as of late; get out there and see them.
Between these two Austin acts, L.A. based band Tennis System played a set of jammy garage rock. While the band’s brand of music aligns sonically with many bands making music today, I was impressed with their lengthy sections of high energy instrumental parts. The band thanked the Austin crowd, but spent most of their time getting down to business and kicking out crunchy jams. Check out photos of all three bands below.
All photographs © Bryan C. Parker & Pop Press International; all rights reserved. Click any image to open set in slideshow viewer.
