Concert Mon Nov 23 2009

Grinding Through a Cosmic Sky

Earthless is nothing if not epic. Isaiah Mitchell (Nebula), Mike Eginton (Electric Nazarene) and Mario Rubalcaba (Hot Snakes, Rocket From the Crypt, Clikatat Ikatowi, skater extraordinaire) have combined to create a number of psychedelic rock tour de forces over the last few years. Inspiration for their instrumental stoner rock comes from the current wave of Japanese psychedelia (like Boris), blues-influenced noise (such as Comets on Fire) and 70s rockers (Hawkwind, Black Sabbath). Ten minutes into songs like "Godspeed" or "Flower Travelin' Man" the heavy riffs don't settle down and the rhythm section just chugs along. And that's just at the halfway point. (Don't worry, the second halves don't let up.) Last year's Live at Roadburn showcases them headlining with 4 songs totalling 80+ minutes. At no point does the intensity die and there's no indication that other nights would be any different. (Also, I must mention that the first two times I saw Rubalcaba drumming after he joined RFTC, he broke a pedal and a snare, respectively. He is a monster behind the kit - definitely one of the hardest drummers I've ever seen and alone almost worth the price of admission.)

Headlining is Baroness. The Savannah band's Blue Record has been lauded by critics and fans alike throughout 2009 and their prowess as a live band is constantly hailed. North Carolina psych rockers US Christmas opens. The show is at Reggies on Wednesday at 8PM for ages 17+. Tickets are $12. Reggies is located at 2109 South State Street.

— James Ziegenfus