REVIEW: JEFF the Brotherhood @ House of Blues – 1/26/12

JEFF the Brotherhood

Thanks to Jack Irvin for contributing this review

Nashville duo JEFF the Brotherhood put together an industrious yet brief set at House of Blues last Thursday, but managed to make the most of their allotted time. The brothers Orrall — Jake on guitar and Jamin on drums – tossed headliner The Kills a softball with a revved up crowd after a mere forty minutes of thrashing garage punk. Set up and break down time was never an issue as they travelled light – drum set, guitar, and Jake’s set of pipes. The regulated uniform of the times – flannel, ripped denim (personalized vest in Jake’s case) and mop hair – was faithfully observed, as was PBR-swilling. All of these things were positives in JtB’s case. Simply put, these guys are fun. Hating is not an option. A lack of cynicism in their lyrics comes through in their show.

JtB managed to hit most of the highlights of their past two albums, Heavy Days and We Are the Champions. The fast-paced heaviness of tracks “Ripper” and “Shredder” were counteracted with the more poppy feel of “Bone Jam”, “Diamond Way”, and “Stay Up Late”. What started as a conversational crowd was converted over just a few efforts involving PBR toasts and stage equipment climbing. Jamin’s drumming style can be best described as immersed – face down maybe 18 inches from his snare. This curiosity along with Jake’s aforementioned stage wandering drew in the peoples’ eyes and undoubtedly gained the twosome new followers. Now if only they could headline their own gig – the Orralls seemed ready to dig deeper on their tunes but the time constrictions of the opening slot prevented further expansion. No worries for the young Brotherhood. They will be back and unlike children from the Milford School, should be seen and heard.