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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