Bothers - photo credit Lindsay Beaumont
Portland, Oregon’s Bothers have just released their sophomore LP “II” (on San Antonio/PDX label Dirt Cult Records) with their advance single Black/Orange. The band’s self-titled debut album was a concise and raging lesson in relentless punk 'n' roll, with tips of the hat to bands like Motörhead, and Hot Snakes. ‘II’ marks a new era for the band. Heavier and more expansive, the album ventures into the realm of metalic hardcore with fiercesome riffing and dynamic tempo changes. The melodic intensity of their first release remains, resulting in an album that calls to mind influences like Tragedy, Laughing Hyenas, Jesus lizard, Neurosis and Born Against. We caught up with the band to talk about what inspires them and how they formed!
How did the band form and what does the band name mean?
Mike and I played together in a previous band that played a lot with Johns former band. John was always kind enough to let us stay in whatever dungeon he called home at the time. So we stayed in touch over the years, semi joking about playing together one day. John came out to visit Mike and I in Portland and we fooled him into thinking it was a good idea to move here, perhaps with the promise of making music together. Against better advice he moved and we all got together to play music. I don’t know how we got the band name, we were called Cold Needles at first and now it’s Bothers. We’ve all been in worse named bands…. sadly
Previous musical projects? How'd you first get into music?
These are a few and more than this. Glass and Ashes, Young Livers, North Lincoln, No//se, Shores, Stop Breathing, Prison Suicide I started playing bass originally when a buddy of mine, in like 6th grade, got a bass and we used to try and figure out Janes Addiction and Motley Cru songs. Then it turned into Minor threat and Nirvana and I got my own bass later that year. I play guitar now, its confusing with the two extra strings.
First concert that you ever went to?
First time I witnessed live music was in that same friends basement. His older sisters friend played smashing pumpkins covers with a full band. It was awful but I was intrigued.
First show I went to was Moment of Truth and Autumn in a loft in Rochester, NY where I grew up but moved away from at a young age.
What's your writing process like?
Bang on the strings in front of loud amp and see if the other people in the room glare in disappointment. Sometimes they don’t. Then we got a song.
What other artists or songs inspire your music?
I choose these songs because each one had an influence on writing this record. Whether it be guitar riffs or rhythm or mood.
1. Thin Lizzy - Got to Give it up This band is the best. This opening riff is so powerful as well as the whole song. Its a great emotional confession of a great gone too soon.
2. Wipers - Up Front One of the greatest Portland bands. Great heart pumping beat and guitar dive bombs, I mean Greg Sage.
3. Dead Kennedys - Moon over Marin East Bay Ray just rips it open on this one. That lead just sings. Great moody sounding song.
4. Born Against - Test Pattern Brutal song with great dissonant guitar leads. Just always like how pretty and ugly this song is.
5. La Femme - Sur la planche 2013 This record is so driving, the guitar work is interesting and pretty. The melodies are beautiful and overlapping. I don’t dive a ton into electronic (ish) music but this is non stop.
6. Disfear - Powerload Great record also and yes, there is better Dbeat to list as an inspiration for writing but capturing the energy of this song is something Ive always wanted to do.
7. The 101ers Great riffs and, well, Joe Strummer. Classic,Catchy rock.
8. Mission of Burma The rhythm and mood of this song is hypnotic. It just fucking sways.
9. Hot Snakes No surprise here. One of my favorite bands. This song though, when I caught it live for the first time, some 18 years ago or more, floored me. When the riff opens up, it cuts through you.
10. Archers of Loaf So many Archers song to choose from but this classic always hits for me.
What's the live experience like and your philosophy on playing live? Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be it's own thing?
We like to play loud and fast. As a performance philosophy, I'd suggest watching Fugazi - Instrument That all I need to know about performing.
Has the band toured? What has the touring experience been, best shows? Worst shows?
We have all toured previously in bands. Bothers has traveled a little bit. We’ve done some out of state stuff and a fest. We would tour more but its all dependent on the opportunity or experience that lies ahead.
What's up next for the band?
We are booking some shows in and out of state and hoping more things line up, maybe a tour.
Maybe write more. Its all uncertain but hopeful.