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Brand New at the Crazy Donkey, May 26 By Melissa Francis The Crazy Donkey was filled with your madden clones on May 26 to see the utterly amazing, yet reserved, Jesse Lacey and the rest of the Brand New boys. The show started like any other. Opening acts warmed up the crowd. (I didn't make it to the venue in time for them, so I can't comment on their performance. I could lie, but that would be silly.) Paint the picture: The stage was a respectable size, just enough space for the five members and two drum sets; count 'em, one-two. The backdrop was a fabric that was similar to a chain link fence, on which they bounced every color imaginable. After gazing at the stage for long enough, Brand New appeared. They took the stage, all in white T-shirts, reminiscent of your always-favorite Pony Boy and the Outsiders (very sexy by the way). Brand New started off the night with a selection from Deja Entendu. The audience was psyched for "Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't" and "Jaws Theme Swimming," in which the band took over the chorus to drown out Lacey. Then, to kick off the rock and roll badass feel, Lacey played a chord or two with his mouth during "Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades." It was the hit of the night until they performed "Montauk Point." Lacey, along with a young woman and the audience, sang in harmony; "...This is the end; this story's old and it goes on and on 'til we disappear..." It was an exclusive event, making everyone feel part of something powerful. After ending their Deja Entendu set with "Montauk Point," the boys led right into their newest album, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. They started off with "Sowing Season." This powerful song used the two drum sets, making it amazingly euphoric. The bass and clout filtered through every part of me, for a feeling I will never forget. After a few more kick-ass songs, they went into "Jesus," one of the best vocal songs on the album. It was switched up in this edition; Lacey sang backup for the beginning with a band member from one of the opening acts on lead vocals. It was arranged impeccably and the instrumentals were unbelievable. To close the show, the boys pulled all the strings, gathering as many musicians as they could. "You Won't Know" was performed with expertise. As you know, the calm beginning leads into a powerful musical mix. With this the audience went mad, singing and jumping in unison. The band didn't hold back either. As this song ended they went straight into "Welcome to Bangkok," in which eight musicians made their way on stage to jam. Then, Lacey disappeared and five more guys come out and started banging on instruments in rhythm. Finally, a guitarist hung his guitar form the rafters, leaving it there for the rest of the show with numbing feedback. They finished jamming and the crowd began their usual chant; "One more song, one more song," but unfortunately that was the end and the Brand New boys disappeared behind the chain link backdrop. Overall, this show was great. Even with the Crazy Donkey not having the ideal sound acoustics, Brand New held their own. They are a very quiet band, not talking much, just letting their instruments do all the chatting. When will you have the opportunity to catch them next? Ah, well, they are heading to Australia and Europe for a few shows this summer. So if you are overseas check them out, otherwise you will have to hold your breath until the fall or winter ... hopefully. |
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