Beast Killer Debut Release Party
Volume #28: Beast Killer w/ Fawx, Death Weapons & Black Island Condors
8/19/2022
Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Good evening, Rustbelt and welcome to another installation in my ongoing chronicle you know as the Rustbelt Rock Review. For edition #28 I had the pleasure of another foray into the Grog Shop to witness Beast Killer debut their new self titled album. In support they brought Ear Hammer Records label mates: Fawx, as well as Death Weapons and Black Island Condors. I arrived on the scene at about 7:45 for a scheduled interview with Beast Killer, which I will share with you in a future article. I met up with the boys inside and we headed to the green room to talk. Finding the room locked, we decided to enjoy the weather, and conducted the interview in front of the Grog.
Z.M. Delgado w/ Beast Killer
We talked for a long time, and it was one of the more pleasant conversations I’ve had recently, not just with a band. I found Chris and Kris to be two generally cool and legit guys. They seemed to really get Rock N’ Roll in a way that I could identify with. We talked for a while even after I turned off the tape. Eventually they had show business to attend to and thus we parted ways. I headed inside, checked in with the door, grabbed a beer and a bar stool. I reviewed my tape and enjoyed my PBR as I patiently waited for the music to start.
Black Island Condors
Black Island Condors, a three piece instrumental outfit, were up first. They had an elaborate stage setup, consisting of guitar, bass, drums, three synthesizers and at least 30 effects pedals. They opened up with a number entitled “Glitch Trippin” which immediately swept the crowd away. They followed up with 3 lengthy compositions: “Haze,” “Beautiful Ghost,” and “Flumes.”
Alfredo Guerrieri
All of which exhibited proficient song writing and technical skill. I found Black Island Condors to have a very cool and unique sound. While showing off their skills and gargantuan pedal boards, I was impressed by BIC’s attention to groove. Drummer Michael Bashur provided a solid tapestry for his band mates to work upon. The low end, provided by Alfredo Guerrieri was consistently throbbing; pulsating in contrast to Vicenzo DiFranco’s rapid surf riffs.
Michael Bashur
The trio meld together into a tripped out soundscape that the listener can easily get lost within. Being that they are all instrumental, it is difficult to put a genre label on them, so I will simply call them Rock N’ Roll. I will say that their style contains elements of Stoner Rock, Shoegaze, Progressive Rock and Surf Rock, in addition to touches of Hard Rock and Metal.
Vicenzo DiFranco
It makes for a good blend, especially if you are the kind of person who indulges in psychedelics. If you want to check them out you can head to Terrestrial Brewing Company (7524 Father Frascati, Cleveland, OH 44102) on September 2nd.
Death Weapons
Second to the stage was Death Weapons, a four piece Hard Rock group. After a lengthy sound check they broke into a hard fast song entitled “Buffalo.” Following with “Blackwater,” and “We’re Owned,” they continued their upbeat and driving sound, with a generally clean vocal style delivered by Guitarist James Isom.
James Isom
A consistent Rock N’Roll vibe was produced by the Bass lines of Brennan Carden and pounding rhythm of Drummer Patrick Ginley. While lead Guitarist Eric Mzick added layers to the sound with solid lead licks. They slowed it down with Keep it Together” before throwing it into high gear with “Spider in the Woodpile,” “Bleed” and closing strong with “Cut the Anchor.”
Brennan Carden
Eric Mzick
In general I enjoyed Death Weapons. I would describe their sound as a being a lighter take on Black Label Society; or a heavier version of Foo Fighters, depending on how you want to look at it. They delivered a hard and emotionally charged set. I could tell these dudes were feeling their music as they performed it. In fact I could sense something mighty within them, particularly in vocalist James Isom. As if he had a lot more fire to give, but was restraining it, or somehow holding back.
Patrick Ginley
Even if I am wrong about that, they’re still a damn good Rock band. If I am right however, then this band has only just begun to tap into their potential. I would wager that as they gain confidence, their live performances will also become more intense. If you want to catch Death Weapons, you can find them at the Maple Grove Tavern (14832 Pease Rd, Maple Heights, OH 44137) on October 29th.
Up next was Ear Hammer’s first offering to the chopping block, Fawx. This is a four piece rock band that I would categorize as Indy/Alt Rock, with touches of Progressive Rock and a heavy punk influence. Being a 90’s kid my first thought was that this must have been the band that wrote the theme song of “Pete and Pete.” If you get that reference you’d understand completely what I mean. If not, I would say they draw influence from bands like “Weezer,” “Janes Addiction” and “Violent Femmes.”
Fawx
They opened up the set with “White out” and then broke into “Midwest Nightmare” and “Donuts.” The bulk of the crowd was hanging back near the bar while enjoying the music. This was problematic for Vocalist/Bass Austin Hodges, as he informed the room: You know I can’t get it up unless you stand close to the stage.
Austin Hodges
Fawx
When many attendees stepped forward he alerted us that he did in fact now have an erection. With his bass obstructing the view, this author is unable to confirm or deny this statement. Proximity induced boners aside; I have to tell you Fawx was pretty good. They treated the Grog to a total of 11 songs closing out with “Basement Band.”
Trevor Bailey
Jay Butler
I made a mental note that I had particularly enjoyed their songs “Choke” and “Broken Brain,” for their obvious Punk influences. I would say that Fawx has a solid and fun vibe. With a sound that is a blend of 90’s college rock and Punk, it makes for an enjoyable blend. You can see Fawx next at the 5 O’clock lounge (11904 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107) “End of Summer Bash,” September 23rd.
Cameron Campana
Beast Killer Cover Art
Beast Killer
And then it was time for our feature artist: Beast Killer. This was my first time seeing them and I was excited to doing so. I had picked up their self titled album on Bandcamp, and really liked it. Seeing that they would be performing the record in its entirety had me really amped. I waited anxiously as the two piece band took the stage. Side by side they fired up their headline track “Beast Killer,” and without hesitation began their onslaught. I love this song, and its message of overcoming all the beasts that stand in our way.
Chris Wright
Kris Monroe
Track by track they served up the entire album as promised and I gotta tell you: They did so with style and power. They matched and exceeded their albums ferocity on each and every song; and as the album is quite intense in its own right, that is saying something. I was taken aback by how much energy and stage presence this two member operation could muster. Chris Wright delivered his vocals with wrath and melody. He seemed to be wrenching the lyrics from his soul and firing them out into the Grog with a shrieking growl.
Beast Killer
Beast Killer
Kris Monroe seemed barely able to contain himself behind the kit. He pounded his skins like a gorilla blacksmith forging armor for the jungle gods. Arms flailing, pointing to the sky, hammering in perfect rhythm; he frequently jumped up and stomped around stage, kicking his cymbals in passionate fury. I told Kris after the set, I could watch you play all damn day, and I meant it. I rarely see drummers of such high quality and almost never one more animated or entertaining.
Kris Monroe
Despite the stage antics, they never stray far from pure Rock N’ Roll. They certainly have elements and influence from Punk and Metal, but they never commit fully to one or the other. Instead they stay rail straight between the two and create a monster sound. They are a band that defies subgenre utterly. Like Motorhead before them, Beast Killer is just Rock N’ Roll, and that’s more than enough. Besides their title track, I particularly enjoy “Violent Creatures,” “Egomaniac,” and “Neurotic Ep1 Se3”; and I am certifiably obsessed with “Elitist.”
Chris Wright
I wasn’t the only one impressed with what Beast Killer was putting together. They had many in the room headbanging and dancing, including one wasted barefoot girl who ended up falling on her ass and sprawling in front of the stage. If you want to catch Beast Killer, and believe me you do, you can see them October 7th at the Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106.
I congratulated Beast Killer on a great set and headed out to my car. I immediately fired up the album I’d just seen performed live and pointed my car east. As I transgressed Northeast Ohio, a huge orange half moon hung in the sky. Drumming on the steering wheel I thought to myself, you know who likes moons like that: fucking beasts, that’s who. It’s a known fact that nasty, vile, bloodthirsty beasts love to hang out underneath giant creepy moons, and you’ll never convince me different. Yet on this night I felt no fear. I knew the beasts of the night were dead, or in hiding. Friday night the Beast Killer reigned supreme and this Rustbelt Rocker knew he was safe.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt!
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Zackolantern.com
8/24/2022
Beast Killer
https://linktr.ee/beastkillerband
Fawx
Fawx.band.wixsite.com/mysite
Death Weapons
@Death_weapons
Black Island Condors
@blackislandcondors
