Chris Brokaw (Come, Codeine, Pullman) - Whelan's - Sat 10th Aug

Deaglan

POD.ie presents
Chris Brokaw
(Come, Codeine, Pullman)
Whelans
Sat 10th August. 8pm
+ THE JAMES ORR EXPERIENCE who are new signings to Mogwai's record company (Rock Action Records, Glasgow),
+ GOODTIME JOHN who has just released his debut album to critical acclaim on Dublin’s Volta Sounds.


Tickets €13.50 from Ticketmaster & usual outlets. Ph: 1890 825 100. www.ticketmaster.ie

PRESS QUOTES:

"Anyone who boasts a CV groaning with names like Codeine, Come, Pullman and Evan Dando is doing something rightŠ. A litany of succulent electronic guitar textures and bold rhythms, this should appeal to anyone who Callexico, Tom Verlaine or Aerial M records." Mojo

"Brokaw swings through dark and edgy moods, fitting seamlessly between post-rock, frenetic strumming and lazy Tex-Mex borderland workouts."
The Independent

"Brokaw transcends the mathematical plod of most of his contemporaries here.. there’s real blood and romance here." Uncut

"An insturmental, guitar heavy recording that is simply staggering in terms of stylistic range and emotional power."
The Event Guide

It's not that unusual for indie rock icons to step out from the shadows of their collaborative musical vehicles into the spotlight of individual performance. But Chris Brokaw is one notable shadow-dweller who took a little longer than most. After playing both drums and guitar in some of the most influential bands of the '90s Chris delights in bringing his gift of genius to Whelans in August where he is set to promote the release this month of his debut solo album "Red Cities"

Growing up in and around New York City and moving to Boston in 1986., his first distinguished foray into rock was in 1990 as the drummer for slow-core progenitors Codeine, who by themselves seemed to establish a whole new sub-genre in music. After an LP and EP released over two years, Chris left Codeine to play exclusively in Come, with whom he'd been playing guitar for about a year as well. This superb outfit, led by singer/guitarist Thalia Zedek, released four celebrated albums on the Matador label plus numerous singles. Theirs was a dark, sometimes blues-inflected rock vision, one in which Brokaw's majestically raw guitar made for many a wide eye. The band exited quietly from the scene, even as Zedek completed her own solo work with backup by, you guessed it, Chris and others from the Come family.

Throughout the last six years Chris has held even more moss at bay during his multiple contributions to other acts. These include: stints as guitarist for the Steve Wynn band, led by ex-Dream Syndicate founder; drummer for The Willard Grant Conspiracy; one of four renowned guitarists in the band Pullman, also harboring Bundy K. Brown (Tortoise, Directions in Music), Doug McCombs (Eleventh Dream Day, Brokeback), and Curtis Harvey (Rex); and drummer in The New Year, a post-Bedhead construction by the brothers Kadane. Chris has indeed long been involved in a phenomenal body of work, the quality of which would seem to be unmatched.

So why hasn't he ventured forth previously to stand on his own? "No one asked me to," was his response. That is, until a couple years ago when Doug McCombs suggested he open up for Brokeback in a live setting. "Yeah, that's who's responsible for the mess we're in now," Chris offers. A more remarkable mess you're unlikely to have ever heard. In October 2001 Chris released his solo debut, a split e.p. on Kimchee/Acuarela records with Gijon's viva Las Vegas. June 2002 saw the release of his full-length solo debut, "Red Cities," on atavistic in the US and 12XU in Europe and the UK.

He embarked on his first "solo tour" opening for and accompanying Evan Dando on five dates in Australia where he earned rave reviews. And you'd be wise to stay tuned: His solo set, playing electic guitar and foot-driven tambourine is usually about half instrumental and half vocal tunes. Sets draw largely from 'Red Cities' and the Kimchee/Acuarela ep as well as the occasional Come song with various selected covers. Stop messing about - get out and see him!