JEFF the Brotherhood

I will admit there are some “in”s to the music world through being a college student.  The first of which is being involved with a music venue on your campus.  It’s a great way to learn about booking and contracts and all the business nonsense that comes with being a coolguy music promoter.  Also, it’s a great way to meet other musicians.

This past weekend the “we’ll tour anywhere” Nashville-based indie band JEFF the Brotherhood graced my college campus, in a secretive little venue hidden under the dining hall (this I have never quite understood).   They’ve been out on their own since 2002 now, doing that noble thing that indie bands do: touring to make a living. 

Their appearance on stage is not polished, nor is it organized.  But, in a tiny venue like this with a crowd of around 20-30 tired college kids on a Monday night, we wouldn’t have it any other way.  Jake and Jamin fit in well there, cracking jokes with all of us and making conversation.

Their set started off a bit repetitive.  It was my first time seeing The Brotherhood (rock band, or unreleased Hitchcock movie?) live.  I’ll admit – I was unaware that all that loud, biting music I’d been listening to on Facebook and Myspace was made with a three-string guitar.  I was skeptical, especially when Jake played a verse composed entirely of one note being played in a quarter note rhythm for at least 8 bars (that’s hitting the same note 32 times in 4/4 time for non-musical readers).   I thought to myself, these guys could give the Ramones a run for their money in the “simplicity” category.  But, I had to remind myself that bands are different live than they are on CD.  Seeing a band live is like actually meeting them in person: you get their real musical personality, right in front of you.   The simple intro verse that had thrown me offguard was quickly overshadowed by their use of a driving eighth-note drum style that filled in all the blanks:  short and simple 2-3 minute songs with not a rest from beginning to end.  Not to mention, their use of a distortion pedal resembling a jet taking off – a sound signature to their recordings that I was happy to hear live.

The Brotherhood had a comfortable and casual presence on stage, making up for the hideous lighting in the venue by employing Jamin to hold up a small studio lamp and swing it around while the music was playing.  Jake made chit-chat with all of us, apologizing for not shaving before he played in front of an audience of “pretty college girls.”  We all also got to witness their amp crackling and dying (more than once), and the recurring resolution of Jake banging on the amp until it was compelled to come back to life.   

When I’m looking to take a fun break during the schoolweek, I don’t want to give up my Monday night to see a band that doesn’t give anything back to their audience.  Quite the opposite, JEFF the Brotherhood put on a short and sweet set that cured my live music itch. 

***

Our friends JEFF the Brotherhood will be providing the backup rhythms to the upcoming collaboration between Jack White and Insane Clown Posse (have you ever heard anything stranger in your life?)  Read more about it here:  http://stereogum.com/796172/hear-jack-white-collab-with-insane-clown-posse-and-jeff-the-brotherhood/mp3s/

Also be sure to visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/JEFFtheBrotherhood where you can hear my favorite tune, “Shredder,” among others.

-Sarah