Prolific as ever, celebrated local rockers JEFF the Brotherhood dropped their 10th album, and third in just the span of a year, Zone, over the summer, and are set to play their first proper hometown show since its release tonight, Nov. 5 at The Basement East with Spodee Boy and Mom and Dad. If you’re a regular reader, then we surely don’t have to tell you how fantastic JEFF are, or stress their importance to the local scene, but we still jump at a chance to see them live any time we can, especially when they’re bringing their talents to the east side. Tickets are still available right here, so grab yours now and read on for more about the show!
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD
One could make the argument that without JEFF the Brotherhood, Nashville’s rock and roll landscape wouldn’t be nearly the thriving hotbed that it is today. Bringing grungy, fuzzy, garage rock tunes to Music City long before it was hip, the band of real life brothers have been going strong for well over a decade, and their own Infinity Cat label has facilitated the growth of the scene that brought us Diarrhea Planet, Daddy Issues, Natural Child, Pujol, and countless others. After a short major label stint with Warner Bros., JEFF were released from their contract last year, and have since returned to their roots of releasing new music at a prolific clip. Last year saw not one, but two full-length records, the would-be major label effort Wasted on a Dream, and much more psychedelic, raw, and palpably liberated return to form, Global Chakra Rhythms. This year’s Zone, released over the summer through Dine Alone Records, backs away a bit from the psychedelic stoner haze, and revisits some of JEFF’s more simplistic earlier efforts, drawing influence from guitar-driven indie rock, stoner metal, power pop, and punk. Nothing if not unpredictable, over 10 LPs, JEFF the Brotherhood have established themselves as one of Nashville’s best, most dynamic, and most enduring bands, and their live shows are just as varied, engaging, and inspiring as their impressive back catalogue. It’s not often the duo venture east of the Cumberland to perform, so this will be an extra special treat.
SPODEE BOY
We know we’re supposed to be the source for learning more about local artists, but when it comes to lo-fi garage punk outfit Spodee Boy, we’re in the dark too. An apparently DIY, underground affair, we’ve seen the name in passing, supporting some great local shows in recent months, and Spodee Boy seems to be the musical alias of local artist Connor Cummins, who also appears to run boutique record publishing house Primitive Prison. The earliest online traces of Spodee Boy are from about a year ago, and took on a very raw, fast, noise rock bent, though the project seems to have evolved to a little more indie and lo-fi punk in more recent months. If they’re JEFF approved, then we’re definitely all in, and we’re eager to learn more about the band by seeing them/him in person.
MOM AND DAD
A longtime staple of the local rock scene, trio Mom and Dad have perfected a flavor of pop music that packs in influences from garage rock, lo-fi, psychedelic, avant-garde and more, consistently producing some of the most pleasant and hypnotic music to emerge from Nashville in the past few years. A name you probably see often, as they’ve become a go-to supporting act for all manner of shows thanks to their versatile sound, if you haven’t yet given Mom and Dad a proper listen, or haven’t taken the time to catch them in person, you’re missing out on one the best hidden gems of the local scene.
JEFF the Brotherhood, Spodee Boy, and Mom and Dad will perform tonight, Nov. 5 at The Basement East. The show is 18+, begins at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $12-15.