Weedeater, ASG, Pig Mountain, Manchovy

Tremont Music Hall

Feb. 19, 2011

The Deal: Not too long ago, some friends of mine began jamming out together and something beautiful was born. I kept hearing so much about their new band, Pig Mountain, that I couldn't help but find out more for myself. Rumored to be cannibals on their Facebook page, I was immediately intrigued. So, when I found out that they were playing at Tremont with Manchovy, ASG and Weedeater on Tremont employee Matthew Brother's birthday, I knew I had an awesome night of sludgy goodness and fantastic celebration ahead of me.

The Good: Manchovy opened up the night with, in my opinion, one of the best sets they have ever played. I must say they certainly have progressed musically since their formation last summer. Regardless, they have never ceased to amaze and intrigue me with their theatrics and original grimy metal. They have an organic sound that obviously spawns from the chemistry these boys have with each other. Throughout their set, they feed off of one another like hungry people on a desert island. You can certainly tell that they spend a great deal of time together. Adorned in track suits with upside down crosses painted on their faces, they jammed the early night away causing the whole audience to get into the intense breakdowns followed by speedy intervals reminiscent of '80s metal. Vocalis, Stephen Mackey jumped in the crowd, screaming in people's faces and maintaining crowd participation, while Philip Shive pursed his lips, defiling his bass. Nathan Bishop rocked it out on his guitar (equipped with sweet amps that seem to be converted from vintage speakers) in perfect sequence with Jeff Worley's riffs and Grey Newman's drumming. As if the music was not satisfactory enough, during their song “Seasoned Alive,” a dancing corncob and lobsterman took the stage, getting down to the heavy awesomeness. How could you ask for more?

Next up was the highlight of my night, Pig Mountain and I was stoked to the max. They impressed the daylights out of me with their hybrid of down-South rock 'n' roll and stoner metal. Word on the street was correct, and I have to say they are probably one of the most original and talented new bands that I have seen in awhile. Their heavy smacking breakdowns make you want to use your whole momentum while headbanging. Dilion McKinnish's on-point drumming with Richard Culp's dirty bass and Dustin “Doob” Outen's sludgy, good ole guitar and deep, raspy vocals carry you into a different place — up Pig Mountain. Doob fiercely screamed into the mic with rage and delicacy that proved that metal vocals can be classified as singing. While sweat dripped down these boys faces, their curled lips with teeth out, the group rocked so hard that even after popping a bass string and having the snare drum fall off its stand, they kept going and were just as good with a dangling string while the drummer from ASG held the drum in place. Epic is the only word that can describe their performance. I want to see them again immediately.

ASG followed Pig Mountain with a set that as per typical, radiated talent. Their techy stoner metal got the entire room into the moment and the whole floor was moving for the entire set. Their drummer used his well-rounded rhythm as the backbone while the rest of the band manipulated their instruments as the God of Rock 'n' Roll had intended them to be. Well-layered guitars were perfectly distorted with a nasty bass line that carried the entirety of it all. Their music is complex and neat, having time signatures reflective of early Tool with wailing vocals reminiscent of rock and roll from the 1970s. While they are a seasoned band, they still maintain the excitement in playing that a fresh group would display.

Weedeater is so freaking bad ass that a night ending with them leaves me torn between wanting to sink into my couch enveloped in sludginess and going out and destroying something in the name of metal. Their performance always allures me, particularly their stage set up — a straight line of bassist, drummer and guitarist/vocalist. It is stellar to be able to watch drumming as up-close as it allows you to, especially a drummer as sick as theirs. In fact, the only word coming from my grinning mouth during their set was “sick” and, by Lord, was it fitting. I was and always have been astounded and sucked in by the beautiful, nasty raping they assault on their instruments. My head was swinging back and forth uncontrollably and the entire audience seemed to feel the same. With the room dark and the music heavy, the entire band was so into their music that you couldn't help but get down.

The Bad: Nothing.

The Verdict: All in all this was a great show for fans of sludgy metal or just hard rock in general and apparently there are quite a bit in this town because the turnout was pretty awesome. It was certainly a cathartic experience to have a room full of people letting out their passion for music to this extent and I could've had the night last forever. If this genre of music tickles your fancy, I encourage you to check into these bands, especially the two newer, local opening acts. Manchovy is taking a short break while their bassist tours with David Liebe Hart but should be playing shows shortly after he gets back at the end of April. Pig Mountain has just recorded its first CD and has shows piling up. In fact, they will be playing the Milestone on April 10 to kick off a tour of the southeast. Come out and experience the metal being birthed from our scene. I cannot lie it's pretty phenomenal.

Manchovy Setlist

Drouids

Cannibal

Step-Dad

Punk Song

Space Wolves

Jack the Hugger

Seasoned Alive

Eat Shit

Pig Mountain Setlist

Xanax Piñata/Barn Burner

Missing Persons Report

Meat Wagon

Why Church Sucks

666 Astronomical Units of Pussy and Ass