WHITE DENIM – Bowery Ballroom, NY – 25th June 2011

‘White Denim’ is a band I have keenly followed and hoped to pin down at a live show for quite some time. This Austin outfit immediately grabbed my attention when supporting Minnesota band, ‘Tapes 'n' Tapes’ at Irving Plaza in April 2008. 'White Denim' stole the show that particular evening with a refreshing and vigorous live performance. I promptly purchased their debut album release, 'Workout Holiday' on which songs like, 'Let’s Talk About It' and, 'Shake Shake Shake' epitomise this bands sound. It’s a raw sound with strong bass lines complemented by somewhere between Robert Plant and Jimi Hendrix like vocals from lead, James Petralli. Live performances are where, ‘White Denim’ come to the fore with their percussive precision and soulful wails from the lead man as well as a bass that is really stirring.

The release of, 'D' a month or so ago marks the bands fourth studio album in a busy five year spell. First impressions are that this is a more controlled effort. Increased production may have cost them a little of that raw and low-fi sound of previous albums, but this offering does sound a bit more accomplished. 

Due to my frantic schedule at SXSW in March, I missed the opportunity to see them on home soil. That, was something I was more than happy to set straight in NY at the Bowery Ballroom. Despite having had an early morning to play in a ‘Futbolito’ tournament in Queens, being off the booze, and not being ecstatic upon my arrival at the Bowery to find that, ‘White Denim’ didn’t go on until 11pm, the energy of the band soon altered my mood. Singer, Petralli entered stage left with his guitar highly saddled against his chest, while the diminutive, baby faced bass player had his bass loosing hanging almost at waist level on his small frame. In the stage set up, it’s novel to see the bass take centre stage, but I have no problem with that…especially given, Steve Terebecki’s qualities in the field.

Despite being fairly firmly with, ‘White Denim’s’ work, I will say that it was difficult to determine where some songs ended and others began, but I think I captured most of the set list fairly well. They definitely started with the first song of the new album, ‘D’, ‘It’s Him’ which is a fun track with varied, complex sound structures that ‘White Denim’ are somewhat renowned for. ‘Burnished’ follows immediately after before anyone get a chance to catch their breath and this is a common feature of the set. The song itself exhibits a, ‘Fleetwood Mac’ like riff and the band starts to show off a little of their amazing instrumental qualities and love for a bit of jamming. Indeed, they fall swiftly in to the instrumental track that is, ‘At The Farm’ which has me harking back to Eric Clapton and Cream. Fantastic sound.

Following this electrifying start, we are offered a softer more delicate track in, ‘Street Joy’ which is one of my favourites from the recent release. Lead vocalist, Petralli displays his ability to hit the high notes and low notes with delectable balance. ‘Anvil Everything’ starts out with, Petralli harmonically humming the lyrics in a, ‘Starsailor’ singer, James Walsh fashion (‘Starsailor are an English band who have fallen off the map as far as I’m aware). The song then livens up with a variety of tones through Terebecki’s bass and other rythym guitarist, Austin Jenkins. ‘Bess Street’ begins with crashing sounds and aggressive vocals from the front man and bass is again dominant…the song is rolling along nicely before there is almost a song within the song with a minute or so long, whimsical jam.

Having been enveloped in the new album, we are given our first kick back to prior recordings with, a classic shortened live performance of, ‘Shake, Shake, Shake’. I say classic as it is exactly that for me…I think it’s the first song I heard from the band and it’s the sound I immediately think of when I hear the name, ‘White Denim’. It’s fast, frantic, raw and raucous. I picture the scene of a drunken fraternity party, ‘White Denim’ playing this track and dozens of testosterone charged young men violently shaking their bodies in a fit like manner. This song is beautifully worked in to, ‘River to Consider’ which somehow exudes the sound of panpipes in the intro. It then manages to be mellow and furious…much like a meandering river I guess.

‘Is And Is And Is’ is another track that I thoroughly enjoy. Starting off chilled, Petralli then explodes in to a Robert Plant style of singing and indeed, this song is along the ‘Whole Lotta Love’ vibe on the chorus. The next track was one from, ‘Fits’ called, ‘El Hard Attack DCWYW' which begun with a weeping and amazing guitar rhythm and continued on to the concluding holler of, “tell me what you want” from Petralli. The next track set out with a Jam/Clash type bass line more associated with the mod/punk era of days gone by (digging around to find this ones name).

'Don’t Look That Way At It' was up next with an enigmatic, Petralli wailing "darl-i-in" in his sophisticated manner. This was followed by, 'Paint Silver Gold' which was a previously unknown one for me...with lyrics were something like "when I was a young boy...". It was a bluesy little track and led nicely in to the very popular, 'Drug'. The crowd loved this, the latest release from, 'D'. White Denim succeed here in mixing the best of blues with a significant tinge of psychedelic to great effect. The last track from the album, 'Keys' followed swiftly in this almost bluegrass/country track. This is something of a surprise in their repertoire. Those familiar with reading my blog will know that this is not my cup of tea, but it was decent. 

They finished the set with another that I need to look up. Lyrics contained "who's that looking at the window light" and "if they ever come looking for me." It was an epic finish where the band concluded with the energy they set out with. The late night crowd begged for an encore and duly got the wish that they desired with a few of the old favourites (the band had exhausted their new material). 

The encore was solid, with, 'Lets Talk About It' and 'Mess Your Hair Up' from, 'Workout Holiday' and 'I Start To Run' from, 'Fits' in rapid succession. These are spine chilling tunes with clever riffs and harsh, Hendrix like vocals. The closer is very funkadelic and finished up with a bongo drum sound.
 
Almost every song has a feel that the band  are in a race against oneanother and no one wants to win. White Denim are very tricky to label or box, but with regards to their influences their consistent garage rock sound references, ‘Grateful Dead’ among others. A large number of their tunes border jazz, blues, folk and definitely psychedelia. I continue to hear a lot of Clapton, Cream, Zeppelin and a little, Who in their music. Rating 8/10

Set List:

It's Him
Burnished

At The Farm
Street Joy

Anvil Everything
Bess St
Shake Shake Shake

River to Consider

Is and Is and Is
El Hard Attack DCWYW

Unknown

Don't Look That Way At It
Paint Silver Gold
Drug

Keys

Unknown

Encore:
 

Lets Talk About It
Mess Your Hair Up

I Start To Run

Quick note on the support:

'Mazes supported'. Only heard two songs, but like what I heard and plan to find out a little more. English lead with what might well be an American band although a quick search suggest they are from London. They sounded similar to White Denim, bit lacking the psychedelic element. They were a little bit mod orientated, yet the lead guitar sported 80's rock hair.