Check Out: O'Death

Imagine if Frank Black and Emmylou Harris had a set of illegitimate quints and kept them locked away in a cabin in WV for 20 years surviving on a diet of grubs, white lightening and gutter blues. The resulting eccentric and perversely talented group of young men might sound an awful lot like O'Death. In a few short months these guys have moved from playing basement rent parties to small theaters. And now this Brooklyn-based punk/bluegrass outfit and blogger bait is set to take the world by storm as they head out on a European tour behind their soon to be released "Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin". I was lucky enough to catch a show at the Williamsburg Music Hall last month and it was amazing. The energy these guys bring to the stage is damn near frightening. Don't get me wrong, their mix of thrashing punk aggression and down-home harmonies is not for everyone. Indie folks might be turned off by the twang, and roots fans might be horrified by the distortion. But for those of us that enjoy bands who push boundaries, O'Death is a revelation. I haven't heard the new album but the last one "Head Home" is very good. However they really shine onstage, where they transform into a sweaty, rollicking band of amp up gypsies. They will be back stateside on November, so keep and eye out for them.

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