The Suede Brothers
Suede Brothers – Ill New You
In early January, I was pummeled by a local band opening for Heartless Bastards at Beachland. Suede Brothers is a local trio that refers to their sound as “Rust-Belt Rock N’ Roll” and this description fits perfectly. This is a Cleveland band that we’re hoping people get behind. Their 2007 self-titled debut picked up quite a bit of steam locally and their 2009 album, Ill New You is almost complete, two brand new premier tracks available below. The first things you’ll notice are the huge riffs singer/guitarist Dylan Francis punches you with. Rust-belt rock, if indeed a genre, has never been so large. An immediate recent reference that pops to mind is Wolfmother, but the major difference is Suede Brothers’ sound involves no gimmicks and the overall vibe and feeling of throwback power blues is honest and sincere. Francis shreds on his Les Paul and his high-pitched vocals are pulsing with raw energy. Blues crunch, pounding percussion, and unforgettably staunch riffs leap from the speakers. We’re shocked the national scene hasn’t picked up on these guys as of yet. Their myspace page is ripe with attention and it’s only a matter of time before these guys take off.
Our initial impression of this band was rooted in their crushing live performance. The intensity and loudness of Suede Brothers live is a grand and rattling experience. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t overshadow the crisp and tightly organized arrangements. Blues rock is a well-worn path but it always works when done well. Francis, along with bassist Kevin Naughton and surehanded drummer Mike Varga know what they’re doing and are well worth your time. They want to kick your ass for awhile in concert, but also capture this element nicely in recorded material. These guys play at Annabell’s in Akron tonight, and we’ll certainly keep you posted on the release of the new album. Pressing is supposed to happen soon.
