10/28/2023 - THE ERASED, CENÖBITE, FEED @ UNDER A BRIDGE

It feels good to get back to the meat of these blogs--local shows. Of course, Pet Rat was a local show, but I think that was a bit different and much harder to tackle. These shows, the obscure multi-genre DM-for-address shows, are the bread and butter of this blog and I hope it stays that way. As always, send music (I know a few people have already--I will respond soon), shows, suggestions for artist interviews, and anything ever that you want to talk about or see covered to [ fosterhildingmusic@gmail.com ] or DM me on Instagram.

photos courtesy of Elijah Seger.

I'm shifting through the muddy waters of the past four months to take me back to this show. I was in the midst of recording sessions and moving back and forth between Flagstaff and Phoenix almost every weekend of October and November. But, of course, I had to take time to see all my boys at their bridge show. My notes are sparse for this show, so this blog might be a little bit on the shorter side.

My favorite energetic post-math-everything band, Feed opened the night. Quinn conducted their cacophony of jittering noise with unparalleled presence--dancing like a slim-necked noodle in his confessional robe. He stood out in the crowd of ghouls and ghosts, tucked away beneath the shadow of the underpass. Rylan's junky Primus bass gave funky life to Alex's constant motion--every space and second thought account for. 

What I love most about watching Feed--apart from wondering how Quinn can even sing over what he's playing, is that they always know when to pull back, and in doing so, pull you in. Between the spiderweb of time signature experimentation and jazz-infused jams, they give audiences back into the gentle expectations of hardcore and jazz, to ground them somewhere in between the raging currents of their sound. Having mastering both, the attention never ceases to be on them and only them. Stream And the Pony.

I'm honored to have been present for Cenöbite's last few shows. It's sad that this is the last blog I'll write about them under the Cenöbite moniker, as well as Brady's final show with them. Every show I've seen of them, he's proved to be the heart of their sound--finding the perfect sweet core between rhythm and melody with precision and humbleness. Along with Zander's smashing cymbals and sputtering snare that seems to crackle into every beat, and Jack's dissonant cracks of icy guitar--they are the sound of every forgotten memory and a blissful noise backdrop to Love's yearning.

Above all else, Cenöbite is the sound of every forgotten memory--a desperate plea for just a listener which is, ironically, the one thing they have. Even in journal, if not more so, they prove to be nothing short of bombastic, heartbreaking, euthanizing, and enthusing. Stream Split.

The Erased rounded off the night in celebration of their album release. Through threadbare amps and shallow snares, their sound was massive in its minimalism--the deep crunch of Corbin's SG shattering any need for a bassist. Brayden sped up their punkish sound with a hyper energy and willingness to break the sound barrier as a few people from the crowd climbed a nearby billboard (which I'm not condoning, don't get this bridge spot shut down, please).

photos of The Erased stolen from their Instagram.

There was an edge of pop-punk with a lydian tinge wrapped around every slicing riff, topped by bursts of delay and constant, heavy cymbal smashing. They continue to prove themselves as a rising voice in Arizona's young scene. Stream Mercury Venus (dumb songs for dumb dogs).

I'm really glad I got to see this show. While I couldn't stay to see the end of The Erased's set, it was nice to be surrounded by Phoenix friends for a little while. There are a lot of cool things happening around here soon, keep watching and keep going. Thank you for reading.

-Foster

Continuing Dead Mothers Collective's live series, check out Mute Swan's new video on Youtube.

See journal (formerly Cenöbite) with Washer, perra, Multo, and Love Letter on February 24th at Chain Reaction. 

See them also with Me + You, Just Let Me Go, and Gayt on February 25th at Bad Dogg Compound. 

Also see them at Your Renaissance Fest on May 24th.

Also see them with Mildred, Washed, and Blue Evening on March 9th at The Nile Coffee Shop.

See The Erased with Pneumonia, Dreamboat, Locust Valley, Beheaded By Stop Sign, and Vitil on February 24th at Ground Zero Studios.

Also see them with Okinawa Plane Crash, The Cult of Chunk, and Vitil on February 25th at Ground Zero Studios.

Also see them with Bad Nerves and Prefect on March 11th at The Nile Underground.