Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears
Wednesday, 3-19-08
The Replay Lounge
By RICHARD GINTOWT
The measure of a good show isn’t how many people show up; it’s how many people stick around. Bryan Scary knocked ‘em upside the head last night with a balls-out glam rock set that inspired onlookers to shout “goddamn,” “oh my god” and (my personal favorite) “for the most part, I agree.”
Scary is a Brooklynite who composes over-the-top cinematic prog rock. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for that sort of stuff (Mark Mallman, Bobby Conn, the Darkness). There’s also a hearty dose of Frank Zappa in Scary’s world: story songs with oblique science-fiction narratives and strange characters.
Scary’s backing unit (the awesomely named Shredding Tears) is composed of four consummate players who wear matching zipper jumpsuits. Scary lived up to his stage name with blue eyeshadow and a furry tuft of chest hair. He also took a page out of Wayne Coyne’s book with a suitcase full of props including a space helmet, a painting of a song character and some giggly goggles.
More hairy Scary after the jump.
Scary and crew are releasing Flight of the Knife on April 1. The concept album tells the story of “the greatest flying machine ever to sail the skies” and the various characters who dare to mount it. The band didn’t have a copy of the CD on tour with them, but the few tracks I’ve heard via MySpace and Flightoftheknife.com foreshadow a far more cohesive effort than Scary’s 2006 self-titled debut. That album has its share of inspired moments, but the whole thing comes across a bit ramshackle, perhaps because Scary played everything except for drums. “Imitation of the Sky” is the lead single from the new LP, a delicious slice of nonstop pop that reminds me of the criminally underappreciated band the Dickies.
It was hard for the Replay’s notoriously limited sound system to do justice to Scary’s sweeping vision, but his M.O. came through loud and clear. Few bands perform with such delirious abandon. The audience’s individual tastes capitulated to Scary’s commandeering presence and the energy of his band – even during the passages that bordered on nightmare-clown klezmer.
There’s bound to be a strong word-of-mouth buzz developing around Flight of the Knife, and I heartily extend my endorsement as the Knife takes flight.
Bravo! I thoroughly enjoyed your review. It reminds me of how I felt after catching Bryan Scary and the boys at SXSW this year. All in attendance were completely blown away. Here is a band with passion and artistry. Here is a band that rocks, yet also remembers how to roll. Here is Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears. Do yourselves a favor and check them out.
Posted at: April 22, 2008 11:26 PM