Hillside 2018: Day 2: The Messthetics - Concert Photos

The Messthetics pretty much blew my mind at Hillside 2018. The trio perform hugely engrossing for instrumental music, which is high praise coming from me. I usually need a strong vocal personality to draw me in and instrumental music usually doesn't do the trick for me. With The Messthetics, the wall of sound, melodic journey, dynamic shifts and locked-in rhythm are more than enough.

The band consists of Brendan Canty on drums, Joe Lally on bass, and Anthony Pirog on the guitar. Canty and Lally were the rhythm section from legendary Washington post-hardcore band Fugazi. If I recall correctly, I previously saw Canty on drums with Bob Mould more than a decade ago.

In my notes, I described the music as psychedelic post-punk jazz. I loved Pirog's amazing guitar playing. and effects and loop manipulation. You'll also never see a more intense rhythm section than Canty and Lally.

The Messthetics were amazing. Give this band a listen and if you get the chance, take in their live show. It's was a highlight of Hillside 2018, without a doubt. Just incredible.

"Serpent Tongue"

"Radiation Fog/Crowds and Power", "The Inner Ocean", and "The Weaver"