Dead Confederate. Pic by Squid
Dead Confederate released their debut LP - Wrecking Ball on September 16 via TAO Records. One of my new music discoveries at the Sasquatch Festival this year was these guys. I’m not a lover of the Rock Music these days as you know but Dead Confederate grabbed me and held on; that doesn’t happen often. I’ve been living with wrecking Ball ever since and it has me hooked. Since the album’s release the guys have been keeping up a hefty road schedule and last Tuesday they arrived in Portland.
After their sound check at the Doug Fir they swung on by the Pampelmoose New Music Hour radio show to have a chat with Squid and myself and play an acoustic version of The Rat from the new album. Front man Hardy Morris and guitarist Walker were extremely grounded and humble as we did the small talk thing about being on the road, visiting Portland for the first time…etc…. I dug around for some quotes from the band and their supporters and found these:
Hardy. Pic by Squid
“We’re kind of like a Jackson Pollock painting,” explains singer/guitarist Hardy Morris, 28. “Brutally honest. There isn’t some big twist or turn, it just lays it all out there. Immediate, no frills, primal, emotional.”
“Dead Confederate’s wall of sound feels cinematic and atmospheric, loud and beautiful” - NPR.com
“Although southern Civil War soldiers may remain six feet under, Dead Confederate’s sincere versatility drives home rock ‘n roll that is damn well alive and kicking.” - Spin.com
“Known for its notoriously insane live show, this dramatic band forges a distinctive style…” - Paste
“Dead Confederate’s live shows are sonic explosions taut with emotion.” - Harp
So here’s the thing; the album doesn’t come close to the sonic assault that is Dead Confederate’s live show. For their first visit to PDX only about 150 dedicated fans turned out to the show but that didn’t deter the band. From the first song to the last they played as if to a sold out Crystal Ballroom show [where BTW, I would expect to see them soon]. I’m not going to review the whole show I just want to let Portlander’s know that when these guys hit town again this is a must see band. You will not be disappointed. You can follow the band’s travels on their blog.
