By Brandon Schlia
Bands
break up all the time. Some members go on to form other projects, and sometimes
those new bands do pretty well for themselves. Well, you could call These Arms Are Snakes the brothers of Minus the Bear. Their rosters cross over in the
early 90’s math-metal band BOTCH which disbanded in 2002. In it’s new forms,
Minus the Bear absorbed most of the math while These Arms stayed metal. But
they also evolved and improved on those roots.
Their
new record, Tail Swallower and Dove, is hardcore music that appreciates dynamic
over constant blare. It’s hardcore, but its tightness is angular and not speed
crazy. The pace of the entire record gives it a sense of restrained urgency,
almost anxiety; it feels like you’re not only late for an important meeting, but
you’re plan is to punch out your boss when you get there.
Steve
Snere’s vocals are mindful of Blonde Redhead, but they’re delievered with the
emphasis on command that you hear in Les Savy Fav. His militaristic chant
drives the tone of the piece as a whole. Drummer Chris Common is responsible
for nearly all the best accents on the record. Tasteful and technically genius,
he breaks the natural pace of the song by playing around the downbeats with
snare and kick while still addressing the straight four in his cymbal work. But
you have to give a lot of the credit to bassist Brian Cook for really creating
those sweet moments with a bass line that’s always moving while applying
multiple techniques of staccatto, glissando, and bass chord sustains. And Ryan
Frederiksen threads through the holes to connect the sound with a rocking minor
progression of heavily attacked, menacing chord patterns.
This
band employs all the faculties I’d be excited to see in a live performance, and
luckily enough for us, These Arms are rolling through Buffalo on Wednesday.
Don’t miss out on the chance to see their sick jams.
Wednesday,
March 4th, at 9PM
Big
Orbit’s Soundlab: 110 Pearl Street
with
Clouds and All the Saints
$10-12.