by BBG

Brian Majewski honors his brother @ Union Pool

The life and legacy of Brendan Majewski was celebrated last night (4/20) at Union Pool, as Krallice, Obits, Mira Bilotte, and Dope Body banded together to play a show in his honor. Though a somber tone permeated through the night, there were flashes of sheer beauty, the most powerful of which was when Brendan's little brother Brian "Bri Guy" stepped to the stage to perform a song he had written for his fallen brother. Emotion dripped through Brian's fingers and though the somber-yet-uplifting piano ballad was breathtaking on its own, with the added subtext it made for the most heart-wrenching moment of the evening.

Dope Body's spazzy post-hardcore stomp (the band shared a split with Brendan's band Orphan) started the evening with tons of on-stage energy. Following Brian Majewski's gorgeous piano composition, Mira Bilotte delivered eastern-influenced vocal/piano and vocal/percussion pieces that were delicate, emotional and gorgeous. Obits and Krallice's sets touched upon material by Orphan, with the latter devoting the majority of their stage time to blackened covers of the material before closing with the incendiary "Forgiveness in Rot" from their first LP.

Quite the lineup at the small stage of Union Pool, and all in tribute of one man who will definitely be missed. I didn't know Brendan personally, mostly just through his catchy LPs. But all of the love in the room last night made me wish I did.

More pictures and some video from the show, below...

Continue reading "Krallice, Obits, Mira Bilotte, Dope Body & friends paid tribute to Brendan Majewski @ Union Pool (pics)"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Krallice - "The Clearing" (MP3)

Krallice at Knitting Factory (more by Greg Cristman)

Krallice are hitting the road with Atlanta black metal faves/BV SXSW alums Withered for a string of East Coast dates, and will tag NYC at The Studio at Webster Hall on May 2 with Ipsissimus (who played Union Pool last night with The Funeral Pyre/The Secret) & Cleric. Ticketing info is forthcoming. The show goes down less than two weeks after Krallice appear at the Brendan Majewski tribute happening at Union Pool on 4/20 with Mira Bilotte (of White Magic & Quix*o*tic), Dope Body and new addition Obits (who just played a BV SXSW day party). All bands on the bill have played with Brendan's band Orphan in the past, and both Krallice and Obits will be performing Orphan songs at the show. It's $10 to get in with all proceeds going to Brendan's family.

Obits play a regular set at the Bell House on April 2nd. Tickets are still available.

Krallice's new LP Diotima is due via Profound Lore on 4/26. Check out "The Clearing" above and the Diotima album art below, along with all tour dates and some video...

Continue reading "Krallice touring w/ Withered + Obits added to Brendan tribute"

DOWNLOAD: Krallice - "The Clearing" (MP3)

Brendan Majewski, R.I.P.

A memorial show has been organized at Union Pool on April 20th in memory of Brendan Majewski of Orphan/Quix*o*tic who tragically took his own life in January. Come out and pay tribute to Brendan by enjoying perfromances by Krallice, Mira Bilotte (of White Magic & Quix*o*tic), Dope Body & "other special guests" with DJ sets by Bob Nickas & Jacob Kassay. All money raised at the show will go to Brendan's family to assist in expenses, so get out and see this great bill.

One thing that will ensure that 4/20 at Union Pool is a special celebration is that Krallice will perform "adaptations of Orphan songs" in honor of Majewski. You'll have to catch Krallice on their next go around in order to hear material from their new LP Diotima, due 4/26 via Profound Lore. Check out "The Clearing" from that just-announced LP above, and the tracklisting/art below...

Continue reading "Krallice playing Brendan Majewski memorial show w/ Mira Bilotte, announce new album (new MP3 included)"

photos by Samantha Marble, words by BBG

UOoA

Though Orphan unfortunately didn't play Death By Audio on 1/22 (Brendan Majewski, RIP), people were thinking of them as they watched performances from reformed hardcore greats Universal Order of Armageddon, the roaring doom oddballs in The Body, and Philadelphia sludge duo Trophy Wife. Samantha Marble reports:

The show was packed, and all of the bands dedicated the night to Brandon and Orphan. Trophy Wife, The Body and UOA all seemed to play at their best, including UOA's vocalist who mentioned to the crowd that he had been throwing up all day and had a fever. Though there was an underlying sadness, overall it was a celebration.

Presumably a celebration of both the riff and the Orphan riff-er.

UOoA also played Cake Shop one night earlier as part of a short tour. More pictures from Death By Audio are below.

Continue reading "Universal Order of Armageddon, The Body & Trophy Wife remembered Brandan Majewski @ Death by Audio (pics)"

by BBG

"Last night, my beloved brother, Brendan Majewski, passed away. Words will never express the sorrow I feel. i loved him more than anyone can imagine. He was brilliant, caring, & loving. The world has suffered an immeasurable loss." - Speck Brown

This sad statement comes from Speck Brown, the drumming half of sludgy Brooklyn punks Orphan. Bassist Brendan Majewski , who was previously in Quix*o*tic, was the other half, and he ripped fuzzed-out basslines to punctuate their fierce and primitive songs. R.I.P. Brendan, you will be missed.

The band released Decapitated Lovers last year and just released a split with Dope Body on Black Tent Press. Orphan was scheduled to play this Saturday (1/22) at Death By Audio with Universal Order of Armageddon, The Body, and Salvation.