Get out to see Big Business at a smaller venue like Brooklyn’s Death By Audio or Atlanta’s The Earl
Review by Daniel del Ben
Anyone who’s been to Death by Audio would know that room is a more apt description than club. I sometimes even question its validity. Aside from ambiance, it really is a great place to see the band. I’ve seen Big Business several times throughout the years and they sound noticeably better in tight enclosed places than in larger venues.
First up, the hometown band Vaz, comprised of two out of three members of the (mostly) retired Hammerhead, played. They’re a noisy punk band that has some ambient and even instrumental tunes.
Next up, House of Lightning, formed by Floor member Henry Wilson on guitar, played. They’re a thrashy trio rounded out with keys and drums. They were pretty good, but do not yet have recorded music available.
Finally, Big Business took the stage. They opened up with “Always Never Know When to Quit” from last year’s Quadruple Single. A lot of the set came from Here Come the Waterworks. They also played “Focus Pocus” from their debut, Head for the Shallow. Anything live off that record is somewhat rare, and therefore a treat.
Big Business played a couple new songs including the new single “Wild Kingdom,” which was the original title anyway. Prior to playing, bassist Jared Warren explained that Marin Perkins’s people threatened legal action. The song is now called “Battlefields” although the 7 inches still say “Wild Kingdom,” for now at least.
Quite a bit of goofy stage banter erupted throughout the night from Floor’s Henry Wilson, and all three Big Biz members. It’s another cool aspect of smaller venues. Warren informed us that the night was about hugs and substituted “Guns” lyrics to “Hugs are better than anything else.” The night ended with a drum jam while Warren and guitarist Scott Martin chanted “reverb” into their mics, eventually walking into the crowd and wrestling each other to the ground, still chanting.
Fans in the Atlanta area can check Big Business out at The Earl Friday October 5 or follow the link to see the rest of the band’s current tour dates.
