Jersey Beat Music Fanzine
 




Bad Sports, Divided Heaven, The Black Hands, Brian Marquis Music - Redwood Bar & Grill, Los Angeles - 3/30/2014

Story & photos by Paul Silver

I am cursed, readers. Each time I plan to go to a show with the intent of writing a review, a band cancels. This time, Harry and the Hendersons was to be the opening act, but one of the members was stricken with a case of the flu or a cold or something. I can sympathize, because a couple weeks ago, while attending a show in Tempe, Arizona, someone selflessly shared their viruses with me, as well, and I was down for the count for a few days. No matter.

Today was special for a number of reasons. First, it was another of the infrequent (but increasingly common) Sunday all ages shows at downtown LA’s Redwood Bar & Grill. Harry Jerkface, of Hands Like Bricks, Pizza Wolf, the aforementioned Harry & the Henderson, and others, has been booking more and more shows at this nautically themed venue, and has lately taken to helping the under 21 set get some musical entertainment. Second, it was the 32nd birthday celebration for Divided Heaven’s Jeff Berman. And finally, it was also the official record release show for Divided Heaven’s debut full-length album, which is reviewed in my regular column here at Jersey Beat.


Brian Marquis Music

Opening the show was solo acoustic artist Brian Marquis Music. Brian has a big voice and a soulful sound. It was an appropriate opener for the show today, as Divided Heaven started out as a solo acoustic effort, so it was nice to have some “roots” at the show. Brian’s 25 or so minute set consisted of mostly “serious” songs, sometimes with just guitar and vocals, and sometimes with harmonica playing the bridges. But there was some humor, too, such as the clever “When You’re From Boston,” a song with which I could relate, because I lived there for a couple of years, long ago.


Bad Sports


Next up were Bad Sports. Wait, the headliners played second? Well, they had another show to play that night, so yes, the played second on the matinee. Bad Sports are from Denton, Texas. That’s all I should need to say. There MUST be something in the water there, because every damn band I’ve ever heard that comes from Denton is amazingly good, from Marked Men to Mind Spiders to Distressers to Radioactivity, to Hate Your Friends to Stymie to Bad Sports and others. Even Brave Combo is from Denton. Like most underground/punk bands from Denton, Bad Sports play a raucous version of a garage rock sound. Bad Sports, though, lean a bit more to the power pop side of things, providing a cool, edgy rock and roll sound. Their set was energetic, intense, and way too short. This three-piece has a huge sound.


Jeff Berman of Divided Heaven


Next up was the birthday boy Jeff Berman and his still-new full band, Divided Heaven. You can go read the review of the album in my regular column. The set was great, with Berman’s tuneful, mournful vocals soaring above the mix of acoustic and electric guitars, bass and drums. Several of the songs from the new album were played, and they sounded even better live than on record. Birthday shots were had on stage, and fun was had. I really can’t stress enough how good Berman’s vocals are. Give them a listen.


The Black Hands


Closing the afternoon/early evening out was three-piece folk-punkers The Black Hands. Acoustic guitar, upright bass and drums ripped through a set of stompin’ ragers. The regular drummer was unable to attend, so Divided Heaven’s drummer did double duty on the day and filled in, very ably. If I had one suggestion for The Black Hands it might be to fill out their sound a bit, maybe with some accordion or mandolin – or maybe both.

So, congratulations to Divided Heaven and front-man Jeff Berman, and here’s to more of Harry’s all-ages Sunday afternoon shows in the future!

 

 

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JerseyBeat.com is an independently published music fanzine covering punk, alternative, ska, techno and garage music, focusing on New Jersey and the Tri-State area. For the past 25 years, the Jersey Beat music fanzine has been the authority on the latest upcoming bands and a resource for all those interested in rock and roll.


 
 
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