When the autumn leaves fall, the punks will inherit the city. Well, that is exactly what it felt like this past Labor Day Weekend in Brooklyn. Punks near and not so far all migrated to the hip corner shop, Union Pool. Late night listeners were there to celebrate the EP release, “Keep Near,” by musical rebels Big Bliss. Supporting the punk rockers were Language, Decorum and Monograms.
Union Pool is a strange and interesting venue to have a musical adventure. However, most folks who were hanging out that night were there simply to do that, hang out. Many were staying hydrated at the bars indoors and enjoying the resident taco truck snacks. There were multiple spaces for people to enjoy and escape the music. Upon entering the band stage, attendees are forced to walk blindly into the dark space. Even the stage itself is hardly illuminated as the musicians for the opening sets were jamming away. Luckily, it did not impair their skills in the least. Probably the only light that was emitted was a bordered rectangle surrounding the vaudeville-like stage with its red curtain backdrop behind.
Members of Big Bliss, Wallace May, Cory Race and Tim Race, were happily dancing amidst the crowd until it was their time to wow the audience. As they set up, a cloud of fog from the machine engulfed the place just as the hair from the Races began to drop as well. Loyal fans began to pack into the area and it quickly became shoulder to shoulder standing room only. Thrown into the mix were tons of people dressed in Bowie and possible Clash attire who were still living the punk age in late 2016.
A whining sound check started with supported feedback as Big Bliss prompted the punk meditation mantra. What came after, which pretty much remained the same for most of the night, was a cacophony of rambling and repetitive crashing music. Tim attempted to sing, but his voice was a mere whisper compared to the thrashing tunes being unleashed from their instruments. Cory was banging away with extreme focus in each direction as Wallace thumped along with an everlasting sway.
It took a slight while, but the crowd soon loved every minute of it. Each person began to shake their head in an almost seizure-like fashion as the crashing continued. Every bit of it was thrumming madness with some listeners squinting their eyes to hang in there. Again, loyal fans were cheerfully bouncing around while their friends, who were dragged along, stood still in utter confusion. When the music shifted to a bass-driven focus, the entire room felt like it was going to break off the earth. It was intense all the way through.
Despite all the musical craziness, the main facet of the attendees were obviously in heaven. Big Bliss has successfully tapped into a niche that is well-open for their talents. Listeners who are seeking the loud and rambunctiousness of such music will find extreme pleasure in it all. Check them out and get lost.
Jam On.
