by Adam McGrath
Any doubt that Nashville rockers JEFF the Brotherhood and Diarrhea Planet would fail to live up to their reputation as hard-charging guitar fiends was quickly banished in an all-out assault on the senses late Saturday night at Underground Arts.
Diarrhea Planet (all photos by Adam McGrath)
Diarrhea Planet brought their four-guitar monster to bear as they blasted through a set that featured songs from their forthcoming EP, Aliens in the Outfield. Jordan Smith took the majority of the vocal duties and did well to engage the crowd, setting up Emmett Miller to pump the energy even higher. The band closed with one of their notable covers, an almost-too-earnest rendition of Third Eye Blind’s “Semi-Charmed Life”—the extended version, of course.
JEFF the Brotherhood played as a four-piece Saturday night, but their power comes from the sibling duo of Jamin Orral on drums and Jake Orral on guitar and lead vocals. The group’s sound is even heavier than their tourmates’, slamming fans over the head with a sludgy, psychedelic barrage of rock. Waves of sweaty distortion erupted from the stage as the ecstatic audience surged to and fro. JEFF also closed their set with a cover, attesting to their prog-rock influences with Rush’s “Working Man”.
Jamin Orral
Jake Orral
It was easy to see why these bands have such an enthusiastic following, with songs that are well-crafted beyond being loud and fast. The combination of talent, energy, and community will continue to drive these two bands forward.
