Feeling a bit Blitzed

I’ve always been a sucker for heavy percussion, but I tend to be less captivated by heavy guitar. The two together, however, throbbing in sync, leaves little room for skepticism. At least this was the case with Blitzen Trapper. Their performance at the High-Dive this week sold me on the band and the venue forever. This six man troupe unleashed their rhythm and melody mercilessly on those of us committed enough to venture to Washington Park at 11pm on a Monday. Rarely do harmony and distortion compliment one another and even more rarely is the story they take turns telling punctuated with Dylanesque harmonicing and a Casio. Blitzen Trapper is Glam Rock gone grunge, a union surprisingly organic, each drawn to flaunting their own brand of brash disobedience and disinterest in pleasing the hands that feed them. And though their low-ankled sneakers are no substitute for silver platform heels and their untucked cotton crewnecks expose their Portland roots, Blitzen Trapper is Glam Rock’s prodigal son! They’re proud. They’re loud.

I lost some hearing to them this week…but it was worth it.