By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Charlotte, NC (9/21/21) – If “This Is How The World Ends,” with a venue full of fans enjoying live music then so be it. I’ve personally been waiting since June of 2019 to see Badflower again. Tonight’s show at The Fillmore features the Los Angeles based group as the headliners of a tour that brings along guests Dead Poet Society and Twisted Wrist. Only 3 days away from the release of their latest album the chatter of many in the crowd ahead of showtime is of hopes to hear some new songs featured in the groups set.
Dead Poet Society
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Formed while attending college in Boston the 4 piece known as Dead Poet Society was a band I honestly had been unaware of. I guess some of that could be that the group originally gained momentum in Mexico first. However, it didn’t take long for the band to garner success here in the states. Band members Jack Underkofler (singer/guitar), Jack Collins (guitar), Will Goodroad (drummer) and bassist Dylan Brenner have released a few EP’s and several singles through the years. Their latest album “-!-“ dropped in February of this year and as Dead Poet Society played through a set including the new songs it was pretty obvious I’d been missing out. The crowd sang along to songs new and old as the group electrified the stage with an abundance of raw energy. These guys are definitely a great reason to get through the doors early for this tour.
Teenage Wrist
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Teenage Wrist is another LA based band formed in 2014 and quickly releasing a debut EP titled “Dazed.” The group did some extensive touring along the west coast drawing in fans and signing a record deal by 2017. The bands sound is something a bit new to me as it’s a best described as mixture of grunge and alternative rock called “Shoegazing.” By 2018 the band had released its debut full length album “Chrome Neon Jesus” earning them spots on festivals such as the “Reading and Leeds Festival” in England. Their set is one of high energy led by founding members Marshall Gallagher and Anthony Salazar and full of hard hitting sing alongs and fist pumping beats. Teenage Wrist is currently touring in support of their latest album ”Earth Is A Black Hole” released in February of this year.
Badflower
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My love for Badflower began with the song “Ghost” as I’m sure it may have for many. Shortly after hearing this song I was fortunate to catch the band live as they opened for Shinedown. I quickly delved further into their catalog of music. Songs filled with a range of emotional dynamics topped with deep and meaningful lyrical content have continued to hold my attention. Many bands struggle to provide the same energy and quality in a live setting as they provide on a recording but not Badflower. The group has origins back to 2008 but perform like a group of seasoned veterans who’ve been together far longer than that. Punchy and driving rhythms with precise pauses and vocals that go from screaming to soft and delicate in an instant reach out and beg for your ears attention. The 4 piece works the stage and the crowd drawing them into each song as if it’s their own words and feelings. With many bands you may find yourself growing tired of the songs after a listening to them for awhile and grow eager for the next album. For me that has not been the case with Badflower as their music has been something I find myself blasting through my speakers on a regular basis. Through out the groups set tonight the band did include many new songs from their album “This Is How The World Ends” to be released on Friday the 24th of September. This collection of new songs is by no means a let down. Continuing on the success of their first album “Ok, I’m Sick” the band delivers that same distinct sound fans have grown to love. You can hear growth within the band yet consistency. “Family” and “Don’t Hate Me” were just a few of the new songs giving a glimpse as to what the new album holds and these singles can be found already on steaming platforms. Badflower is definitely a group that continues to impress. The bar has been set high on the first night of the tour which continues through Halloween night in Nashville, TN.
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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography