The Middle Brother w/ Dawes and Deer Tick at The Opera House

The Middle Brother @ The Opera House
Friday, March 11, 2011 Opening groups: Dawes and Deer Tick w/ Special guest Johnny Corndawg
(Photo taken by Riley Taylor)

If you aren't familiar with The Middle Brother then here's what you need to know. The Middle Brother is the terrific combination of lead singers from Dawes, Deer Tick and Delta Spirit... yes, too good to be true is right! Honestly, I can't think of a better collection of artists, but does it sound good? It sure fricken does!

Opening the evening's events was Dawes. Lead vocalist Taylor played the first few songs by himself showcasing the band's newest, "A little bit of everything". The song was perfect, but what really made his performance good was his stage presence! Even though he stood alone, he had everybody's attention. After playing solo, his younger brother Griffin joined the stage to share "Love is all I am", which I thought to be pretty sweet... That Griffin fellow makes the strangest faces as a drummer... so much passion with every beat, looks almost painful. I loved it! Wylie and Robbie (a fill in) joined the stage to complete the band shortly after. This was around the time Johnny Corndawg appeared after his introduction as being one of the band's favourite song writers. He had American dollar bills pinned to his shirt and a beard that could hide small birds...too cool for school. They played a couple more songs and ended their set with John (of Deer Tick) joining the band in the magnificent performance of "When my time comes". It was spectacular! If my night had to end there, I would have been alright. But it didn't!

Up next, Providence's Deer Tick. Rockin the red pants, John (a member of Middle Brother) joined the stage along with members Dennis (drummer), Ian (guitarist), and Chris (bass). Playing mostly from Black Dirt Sessions, Deer Tick brought exactly what we needed to the table! Although I do love the new stuff, I fell in love with War Elephant, and John's performance of "Ashamed" did it for me that night. I think I also died when he crouched down in front of me and started talking to me mid concert... I'm sorry but I'm in love now! He's officially my favourite. His voice is just too good live.

(Photo taken by Greg Abramowitz)

Now it was time to bring out the headlining band, The Middle Brother! Matt (of Delta Spirit), John (of Deer Tick) and Taylor (of Dawes) arrived on stage with Griffin (of Dawes) supporting them on drums. It was such a great way to end the show because every time one of the band members joined another group to sing a bit, it was such a tease... All needs were fulfilled by the end of the night. I loved "Day Dreaming" and "Theatre". Absolutely magical... At this point I was just sad that it was pretty much over. All and all it was an great show that gives me something amazing to look back on. I suggest to anyone who hasnt heard of either bands to check them out as soon as possible!

First timers to:
Dawes - Check out "When my time comes"
Deer Tick - Check out "Ashamed"
Delta Spirit - Check out "Tomorrow goes away"

Taylor Goldsmith playing the new Dawes track "A little bit of Everything".


5 of 50 With Dawes, Delta Spirit,
and Deer Tick

John of Deer Tick
#34: What's your favourite spot to write music?
John: In a notebook. I never really have a permanent place, I kinda hope around..so uhh yeah as long as I have a notebook... and a pen, that's where I prefer writing... I've had a laptop fail before and you write on scraps of bits of papers I always end up losing... so a notebook is the place to go. You know 5 subjects spiral notebook!

#25: If you never became a band, what would you be doing right now?
John: Probably would focus more on behind the scenes aspect of music... which is something I really suck at but I would have some sort of potential in. I used to be a projectionist, and I didn't mind that... I don't know if I would ever persue that... Probably some studio engineer

#49: What's your favorite publication?
John: I don't read too much blogs, but the one I'd say I read the most often is probably Rollo & Grady (Click here to check out). Yeah, It's probably my favourite blog.

#19: Name a song that reminds you of your childhood.
John: Police Truck by the Dead Kennedys


#1: What song has been on repeat on your tour bus?
John: Tyler, The Creators - Yonkers (Click here to check out)

Last words from John: I love you guys, sorry if I'm too drunk to play sometimes!

Matt of Delta Spirit
#17: Does the band Delta Spirit or the Middle Brother have any pre-show rituals?
Matt: There kinda is and there isn't... Like some guys go to the hotel before and get dinner and then relax and show right when it's time to go on... I don't do that usually... but sometimes I do and sometimes I don't... We like to look each other in the eye and kinda show love...but we don't say anything special... it's just kinda like...you know, a mutual acknowledgment that we're all in it together

#36: What's your favourite thing or place that doesn't exist anymore?
Matt: Texicalli Grille in Austin Texas... there was a place owned by a guy who was the unofficial mayer of South Austin, his name was Danny Young...died of cancer two years ago... Yeah uh, best cheeseburger I've ever eaten...and inside of it was a basically a gutted 1970's Taco Bell turned into a burger place and it had tons of like cartoon stuff...and like GI Joes and old Star War dolls...and stuff like that... it was cool! My mom would take me there! (Click here to read more about it)

#41: What's the one song that if it were to go on you would go crazy and dance around?
Matt: Talib Kweli - Just to get by



#19: Name a song that reminds you of your teenage years?
Matt: Alice in Chains - Rooster (Click here to Listen)

#23: If you only had one last song to perform, which would it be?
Matt: Probably the last one I wrote. If I could play just one, it be the last one I wrote.

Last words: Hi, I hope you guys are doing good today!

Tyler, Wylie, & Griffin of Dawes
#13: If your house caught fire, what item would you run out the house with?
Griffin: My dog
Wylie: My bass
Taylor: I got a really awesome 1965 Gibson J 45 Guitar, that would be right at the top of my list.

#43: If you were destined to become deaf, which song would you choose to hear for the last time?
Griffin: Stevie Wonder - I believe
Wylie: I'd probably choose Express yourself by Charles Write

#33: What is your greatest music find on tour?
Griffin: Jackson Browne which was pretty cool for us.
Wylie: For a record Bob James 4.
Taylor: I mean we met Deer Tick on tour and that changed us musically... we got to get to know John and his songs.

#50: Favourite 1 hit wonder?
Griffin: We're gonna go with Ned Doheny - Give it up for Love




#29: The easiest way to kill time without being on the internet.
Griffin: Sleeping.
Wylie: Listening to music
Taylor: Reading... [Amanda: A book you'd recommend?] "Tender is the Night" by Fitzgerald

Last words: Keep coming out to the shows!

Thank you Deer Tick, Dawes, and Matt from Delta Spirit for sharing!