Old Bits Obits Take the Stage at Bell House
After a winter of discontent, it seems like Brooklynites are finally beginning to emerge from their snowy cocoons. I emerged last night and headed south to Gowanus. First for pizza and whiskey at neighborhood staple Bar Tano, and then to catch a few bands at the Bell House. How Brooklyn.
Bar Tano was packed, probably thanks to the Bell House just down the street. Next it was a few short blocks to the delicately post-industrial block of 7th Street where a bouncer told us to wait in line. Lines in Brooklyn? We waited, and were rewarded.
Lycaon Pictus was mid-set and wearing onesies, their keyboard-laden dance rock a perfect primer for what would come next.
Obits took the stage and blew the crowd away with a back to basics rock set that was consistently referential to a variety of musical genres and decades. And their ode to being old was appreciated. A ten year old kid stood by the stage taking pictures of who seemed to be his dad. The bassist rocked a Rickenbacker and a Poly Prep t-shirt. Fly the flag for dad rock.
The band’s freshman effort comes after years of experience in the independent music scene. I Blame You, released the previous Tuesday, will excite any avid rock fan of the previous few decades. Not exactly cheerful, but exciting and enticing, I Blame You is uncomplicated and accessible where its member’s previous efforts may have fallen short.
Though a new band, their stage presence is consistent with that of rock veterans, and they even took the liberty of playing an encore set. Obits have a tour planned, but be sure to catch them when they return. You won’t be disappointed.
(Photo by frankd via Flickr)
