Milemarker at Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis (17 Aug 2016)

Blackthorne photo: Amy

Blackthorne’s vicious set was the ONLY way to kick off this heady triple bill. The Minneapolis-based fivesome played loud and hard; lead vocalist Travis Bos delivered some satisfyingly brutal screams amongst Matt Seitzinger’s throttling percussion and the sonic assault of guitarists Steve Brooks and Mickey Kahleck and bassist Bob Eisenbise. Yeah, they totally made it rain blood.

The Life and Times photo: Amy

Kansas City’s The Life and Times switched gears slightly but were no less intense. Featuring the great Allen Epley on guitar and vocals, Eric Abert on bass and Chris Metcalf on drums, The Life and Times are simply one of the best live bands out there (and one of my very favorites). Their sound is influenced by shoe-gaze and psychedelia and the result is massive. Songs that are epic and soaring but soothing, like being embraced by the cosmos. The space-y mood was enhanced by the warm glow from three spotlights circling the band on stage. Epley mentioned that they were in the middle of recording new material and kindly treated the crowd to a track they were working on. The Life and Times’ last album was 2014’s excellent Lost Bees and I strongly encourage you to pick that one up along with the three previous records: Suburban Hymns 2005, Tragic Boogie 2009, and No One Loves You Like I Do 2012. If this new song is any indicator, we’ve got another doozy on our hands.



It has been 8 years since Milemarker had rocked any part of the Twin Cities but picking up where they left off proved to be a piece of cake. In support of their newest record Overseas (to be released August 26th on Lovitt Records), the band jumped on stage armed with driving new songs like “Carrboro” that had heads bobbing. But it was the choice older cuts like “Frigid Forms Sell You Warmth” from the recently reissued Frigid Forms Sell (2000) and set closer “Virtual Sex” (from 2005’s Ominosity) that had fans bouncing for joy.



Milemarker have always had a unique sound not just because they marry synths and hardcore, but because of their flirtation with krautrock. This latest incarnation of the group includes founding members Al Burian (who was whirring around the stage with his bass and kicking the air when he wasn’t slamming into the synthesizer) and Dave Laney on guitar and newcomers Lena Kilkka on keyboards (who was also trading vocal duties with Burian) and drummer Ezra Cale. It can be quite the undertaking for a band to come together after an extended absence from touring and recording and still have musical bite. This is clearly not an issue for Milemarker whose energetic performance Wednesday evening showed they’re still as vital as ever. Here’s to the next chapter in the Milemarker story!