Columnist Spencer Patterson: Seattle ‘brothers’ bringing full-blooded sound to Vegas

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 9 a.m.

Morgan Henderson, bassist for the Blood Brothers, sounded a bit bemused by the idea of a resurgent "Seattle scene" when we spoke on the phone earlier this week.

"I really think that it's only because in interviews people keep asking what's going on in Seattle that it's creating the idea out there that something's going on in Seattle," Henderson said from his band's tour van.

"Maybe something's going on in Seattle, but it's just bands playing."

Perhaps, but just a few moments later Henderson -- after taking stock of the bands garnering attention from the Seattle area -- seemed to have convinced himself that the music media might be onto something after all.

"I guess it is kind of the same setup," Henderson, 26, said, before quickly adding a couple of caveats.

"There doesn't seem to the same intensity as there was with a Nirvana or a Soundgarden or a Pearl Jam, let's say. And all the bands sound pretty different. Like we sound pretty different than Pretty Girls (Make Graves) and, say, Death Cab For Cutie sounds pretty dissimilar from Modest Mouse and so on."

Actually, it's hard to think of any band that sounds much like the Blood Brothers. Their brand of metallic punk -- topped off by the high-pitched vocals of Johnny Whitney and the slightly more subdued singing of Jordan Blilie -- was best described by a fan on one online message board as "music to get punched in the face to."

The Brothers, five in all, none actually related, bring their high-energy road show, along with opening acts the Chinese Stars and Mean Reds, to Jillian's (450 Fremont St.) at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets to the all-ages event are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

The Blood Brothers' latest album, last year's "Crimes," has widely been pegged as their calmest effort to date. That's scary, considering tracks such as "Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck" and "Rats and Rats and Rats" include sections that make the hair on my neck stand up.

Henderson said the band definitely went for a wider range of dynamics during the "Crimes" studio sessions.

"I think it's gotten called a calmer album because it has more songs on it that are not rockin' or whatever," he said. "I think if we would have had like two or three less mid-tempo songs on there, then it wouldn't have been considered our mellowest album. It would have just been another really kick-ass album with a couple of ballads on it."

Locals who enjoy the Blood Brothers' set Tuesday will have another chance to see them in the spring, when they will perform as part of this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.

The band's heavy brand of rock is sure to stand out on a bill that includes more low-key fare such as Coldplay, Wilco and Bright Eyes.

"We have a hard time being put on festivals for some reason," Henderson said. "I guess people don't know where to put us."

In the meantime, the Blood Brothers will continue to push the limits of their audience's eardrums -- and their own vocal chords -- in concert.

And continue taking questions about Seattle's new scene, and their memories of its old one.

"It's kind of like, 'Where were you when JFK was shot?' or something," Henderson said. "Everybody asks, 'What was it like in Seattle then?' Well, it was rainy."

Grammy grabs

Will the Killers slay their competition? Will Usher burn down the Staples Center? Will Kanye's spaceship take off? Read on, for Feedback's fearless predictions for Sunday's Grammy Awards show.

Record of the Year: Should win it? Much as I dread hearing it at this point, Usher's "Yeah!" was clearly 2004's most memorable major hit. Who will win it? Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven," because it's mellow enough to appeal to even the stodgiest Grammy voter.

Album of the Year: Should win it? Kanye West, whose "College Dropout" is easily the most deserving among the five finalists. Will win it? Something tells me Ray Charles gets a farewell nod for "Genius Loves Company." (Remember Warren Zevon's win a year ago?)

Song of the Year: Should win it? West's "Jesus Walks," which proved that a song about religion could get played by challenging the notion that it couldn't. Will win it? Alicia Keys, a deserving winner for "If I Ain't Got You," even though it's not the best song on her album.

Best New Artist: Should win it? Without question, West, who moved from the producing booth to the microphone with astounding ease. Will win it? Maroon 5, even though they've been around long enough to have children in this category.

Best Electronic/Dance Album: Should win it? Basement Jaxx's "Kish Kash," the headiest entry among the nominees. Will win it? Paul Oakenfold, for being the DJ with the biggest name on the scene. Don't count out Crystal Method, though, whose moniker could be as familiar to newbie electronica voters in a first-time category.

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: Does anyone care? We do, since Las Vegas' the Killers are finalists. Should win it? Not to be a homer, but I still dig the Killers' "Somebody Told Me" as much as any tune here, with Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" close behind. Will win it? Probably U2's "Vertigo," even though it's one of the more pedestrian singles in the band's catalog.

Best Rock Song: It gets a lot tougher for the Killers this time. Should win it? Modest Mouse's "Float On," because it's a great song and because it proved that indie-rock can make it big. Will win it? Modest Mouse, because I don't believe the Grammy voters are stupid enough to pick U2 for everything. Scratch that. "Vertigo" wins again.

Best Rock Album: The big enchilada for the Killers. Can they possibly bring it home? I'm guessing not. Should win it? Green Day's "American Idiot," which demonstrates more musical growth than I thought the band capable of. Will win it? Green Day, who seem anointed as this year's chosen rock band by the Grammys. And because U2's album didn't come out in time to earn a nomination.

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:

Rapper Mos Def has been earning all kinds of acclaim for his acting work in such films as "The Woodsman" and HBO's "Something the Lord Made." Now refocused on his music, he brings his show to the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay at 7 tonight.

The socially conscious MC released his first solo album in five years, "The New Danger," last October. His 1999 CD, "Black on Both Sides," and his 1998 "Black Star" collaboration with Talib Kweli are stone-cold hip-hop classics.

Tickets to the 21-and-over event are $35 and $40.

Veteran prog-metal outfit Queensryche will perform 1988 concept album "Operation: Mindcrime" in its entirety as part of its Wednesday night show at the House of Blues.

Queensryche is also expected to play a set of hits drawn from the band's 24-year career.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 21-and-over event are $35 to $52.

On sale

Jimmy Kimmel hosts "Hands Together," a concert benefiting Samaritan House, a rehabilitation home for male alcoholics, on Feb. 20 at Boulder Station's Railhead. Scheduled participants include Clint Holmes, Jimmy Hopper, Midnight Fantasy, Rick Thomas, the cast of "Forever Plaid" and the Amazing Jonathan. Tickets are $40 and are on sale now at Station casinos and at www.boulderstation.com.

Gloria Trevi performs at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on April 30. Tickets are $27.25 to $106 and are on sale now at the Mandalay Bay box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

Julieta Vegenas plays the House of Blues on March 19. Tickets are $20 to $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office and through Ticketmaster.

The Fixx lands at the House of Blues on March 4. Tickets are $22 to $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office and through Ticketmaster.

Underoath stops at Jillian's on April 1. Tickets are $10 and go on sale at noon Saturday through Ticketmaster.