Summer’s here. That means nice weather, outdoor get-togethers, a few extra late nights out on the town, and a bunch of new music is on the horizon. Not only are there a countless number of summer concert tours that you get a chance to sneak a flask into, but also a steady dose of new albums being put out. So this year, I would say it’d be a wise move for you to make sure that you get hip to The Blind Eyes – a St Louis based 3 piece Indie Rock band whose sophomore album “With A Bang” comes out on June 11. They’re rock. They’re roll. They’re power-pop. They’re a bit punk. And they’re just a really damn good band. So if you don’t have them turned up to eleven at your next barbeque, you can’t really call it a party – and you might as well go have soup with the neighbors.
Fronting the band for the majority of the songs is guitarist/vocalist Seth Porter. With a versatile range that can hit both the lower and upper registers, Porter’s vocals and lyrics are the band’s 4th instrument. Spinning stories with words that everyone can relate to, he makes good times, hard times, lost love, and distant dreams sound like something you’d want to go chasing after. His ability to convey both pleasure and pain in a positive and upbeat style is something that few can do. And the hooks that he writes are the kind that you’ll still be singing the next morning. Oh, and his work on the electric 6-string is also something to be seen. He’s not the flashiest, but he’s not dull by any means. Holding oddly shaped chords and working the entire neck of the guitar, it’s quickly seen that he knows what the hell he’s doing. He’s got his own style of playing that includes thick and gritty tones, with impressive solos tastefully mixed in. Never too up front like a lot of guitar players tend to be, yet he doesn’t just take the backseat either. He simply lets his guitar work be one of the layers that help the band define its sound
Punks in the Pocket
Holding down the band’s foundation is the skillful drumming of Matt Picker and the powerful bass playing of KevinSchneider. Together, they create a deep pocket that is always tight and interlocked; helping the music to move to where it’s gotta get to. On the skins, Picker is top shelf. He pushes with an aggressive style, but can instantly drop into a near hush, and then flip back again. And although he cut his teeth early on in heavier bands, he’s not just a straight ahead rock player. He creates these rhythmic patterns that will make you just shake your head; and often, it’s him from the back of the stage leading the dynamic shifts that occur throughout the set. His hands are quick and heavy at times, while his foot gets the bass drum thumping to the point that it’ll rattle your bones.
Meanwhile, Schneider stands there like a stoic breathing mountain, laying down a groove that really holds it all together. His bass lines flat-out move and you can tell he’s versed in many styles. Like many bass players, Schneider often chills in the cut, positioning himself towards the stage’s periphery, but all the while it’s he who supplies the beautiful harmonies to Porter. And his backing vocals are spot-on and classy, to the point that they often make their way to the foreground. But don’t be fooled, Schneider has been known to take the mic and own the lead vocal duties on a song or two , the whole time continuing to let his fingers dance a quick jig on the electric bass.
No Pretension
The one thing that really sticks out is the way they take the stage. They don’t manicure a messed up bed-head look. They don’t sport the latest brand of ripped up jeans. And they don’t try to be an image of what a rock and roll band should be. They’re musicians and that’s how they present themselves. By stepping to their instruments, pushing out a tight set, and playing as one connected musical unit – it’s their sound that seems to shine the most under the bright lights. Sure Porter will work the stage when soloing and Schneider will get the side-to-side head swing goin’ on, but it’s because they’re in the moment and feeling it –no more, no less. They let their music be their swag and they walk it well. And to me, that’s as Punk or Rock ‘n’ Roll as it gets.
Front Row
When you get to one of their shows, I can tell you that you aren’t going to just find the Indie Rock crowd filling up the room. You’re also gonna see punkers, pierced ones, preps, and everything in between. They’re that appealing. They’re known to put on a damn good show, so much so that their crowds have swelled to the point of needing pre-sale tickets. And you can bet your ass that at some point in the night you’ll either be foot stomping in rhythm to Picker’s kick drum cadence or singing along to one of the catchy choruses. But don’t worry – the biker chick and the surfer dude behind you will be doing the same. So go check 'em. It'll be fun. Trust me.
