His Name is Alive played Rough Trade with No Chief who were making their live debut (pics)

Photos by Greg Cristman

His Name is Alive @ Rough Trade, 2/10/2015

MT: The sound of the band has changed so frequently over the years. Why is that? Do you just get bored?

Warren Defever: I don’t know, I can’t tell. But apparently everybody else can. Everyone else is saying, “Well everything sounds so different,” but in my mind I’m doing the exact same thing. Am I that different? I’m smarter, maybe. It was a long time ago — mistakes were made, haircuts.

MT: Speaking of haircuts, and as you’re doing this big 25th anniversary tour now, I’m curious what you might have to say about your time with the British label 4AD, who were the first to release your music?

Defever: At the time, I felt very lucky to be included in the world of 4AD records. The scene around the 4AD office was very special. They had a station set up in the basement for shaving heads — it was a cult-like atmosphere. There was a special code that you wrote on envelopes so that [label head Ivo Watts-Russell] would open them. But Ivo was a tremendous teacher and continues to be an important part of my life today. – [Detroit Metro Times]

Michigan indie-rock vets His Name Is Alive are currently on tour in support of their new solo-heavy concept album Tecuciztecatl, while also celebrating their 25th anniversary. The band, who were once apart of 4AD’s gothy roster, played Rough Trade in Brooklyn last week. They started with a fairly quiet solo piece by main man Warren Defever, and right after it he was joined by the band who wasted no time in kicking into high gear. At one point late in the set Warren brought out a bag of percussion instruments, many of which were tambourines that he handed out to the audience who got right into it.

No Chief @ Rough Trade, 2/10/2014

The night also featured the live debut of No Chief, the new project from Sebadoh drummer Bob D’Amico. With Sebadoh’s Jason Loewenstein on bass, they were anchored by a super-tight rhythm section that was aided by Matthew Friedberger (Fiery Furnaces) and Teeny Leiberson (TEEN). Even though most folks there had never heard any of their songs before (they’ve only released two online), the crowd was into it. Keep an eye out for their next show. Bob and Jason will be with Sebadoh at Music Hall of Williamsburg next month.

More pictures of His Name is Alive and No Chief, below…

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No Chief

His Name Is Alive