Old Skin - Young Widows from J.J. Johnstone on Vimeo.

Caution: This preview features “ex-members of….”

Gentle reader. I try to avoid it. It’s cliche. It’s dumb. It’s marketing and the dissemination of information on crutches. It’s what writers try to do in order to give you some vague idea of how something might sound. Sometimes it can be accurate, other times it can leave you scratching your head. What am I talking about? The usage of “ex-members of…” in the context of anything music related. I hate it because there’s more meaning in the phrase than should be given. But since I hate you, my gentle reader, I’m going to use it over and over again. It’s Monday, aren’t I allowed to play games with you because god is playing games with the rest of us? I think you know the answer to that…

There are three good bands taking the stage at Neumo’s on Wednesday evening. Helms Alee (ex-Harkonen!), Russian Circles and Young Widows (ex-Breather Resist!). A solid bill, right? Notice my “ex-members of..” territorial pissings? I promise this will be the only time I tout such garbage. In this particular case you can feel the preceding band’s fingerprints on what is going on currently. Helms Alee brings to mind a more melodic version of Harkonen, but only in brief spurts. Ben Verellen’s vocals are obviously the common denominator between the two. Other than that, I’m not sure how to describe them. Consider that a good thing. 

Russian Circles are the instrumental soundtrack to planets being formed and stars being destroyed. Listening to them is an exercise in reminding yourself that you’re not actually a musician, you play one on TV. These guys opened up for Tool in 2007, that should give you an idea of their otherworldly musicianship.

Last and certainly not least, Young Widows. Once upon a time, there was this absolutely amazing band from Kentucky called Breather Resist. Good golly they were the sugar in my tea.Their singer left and the band morphed into Young Widows instead of calling it quits. Thank your lucky charms that they did. Look at the video for “Old Skin” and be prepared for what is to come….