Cymbals Eat Guitars at Johnny Brenda’s, 3/5/10
As I made my way to Johnny Brenda’s last Friday, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had heard Cymbals Eat Guitars 2009 release “Why There Are Mountains” a few times over and thought the band was definitely worth checking out live, but even that thought didn’t convey what really happened that night.
The bill had NYC written all over it with Freelance Whales and Bears in Heaven, and they impressively paved way for the headlining act. As the night grew later I wasn’t so sure I was going to be able to hang, but once CEG started I knew I would not be able to leave.
I suppose if I were to try to put the experience into words I would find myself at a creative loss. But I will try! Sometimes when you see a band, any band, they catch you off guard with an amazing performance. I use amazing as the adjective there not by measure of how precise or how intricate the music was, more so, how real the band and their music came across.
With the constant production of new music at an alarmingly terrifying rate, I can’t help but feel how some bands contrive their sound and painstakingly pump out a faux-raw sound for the sake of raw. CEG, however, have a raw tenacity to their songwriting and live show that is unlike anything I’ve heard or seen in a while. I don’t know what more I can say other than great job, CEG, you’re doing us all good.
Words and Photos by Michael James Murray
