Everest, He’s My Brother She’s My Sister: Concert Review and Photos
By Guest Writer
If anyone remained unconvinced that Everest had made it–after the tour with Neil Young, the numerous late night talk show appearances, the acclaimed record on Warner Bros.–there was ample evidence of the band’s success Thursday night at the Echo. For one thing, the fairly small venue was packed, with a line of eager fans extending down Sunset Boulevard. But plenty of modestly successful acts have achieved that. The real indication that Everest had hit the big-time was twofold: A long curtain veiled the passage from the green room to the stage and their merch table accepted credit cards. I had never seen anything like that at the humble Echo before. It could only mean one thing: these guys are stars.
And, it would seem, deservedly so. At this homecoming show, which followed a two-month tour, Everest fully displayed the songwriting and performance chops that have led them to such a promising point in their career.
But first there was a curious set by the local group He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister. Donning outfits that were more Topanga Canyon than Echo Park, they played a rootsy mix of folk and pop with an appealing blend of male and female vocals. The music, however, never really matched the exuberance of the performers and the true believers in the audience. A couple of lovingly constructed covers (of songs by The Mamas & the Papas and The Velvet Underground) left the remainder of the band’s set sounding toothless by comparison. And, in an odd twist, they performed alongside tap-dancer Lauren Brown, whose frantic tapping was rarely audible amid the ruckus of the band and the chattering of the crowd. It was a nice idea, but tap-dancing, when you can’t hear the taps, tends to resemble good old-fashioned spazzing out.
Things picked up when Everest emerged. Regardless of one’s feelings about Everest going in, one tends to leave their shows with a great deal of respect for what the band accomplishes night in and night out. Thursday night, even songs that sound bland under the polished production of the band’s latest record, On Approach, took on an undeniable vitality and urgency. And it’s not just a trick of the band’s studied, tour-honed precision, or the propulsive thrum of Elijah Thomson’s bass coming to the fore; truly, even their most downbeat songs are full of irrepressible life.
On songs like “I’ve Had This Feeling Before”, “Let Go” (which saw the impressively bearded front-man Russell Pollard moving behind the drumset), and “Rebel In The Roses”, the band’s myriad influences were apparent, from country and folk to soul and pop, all synthesized into something that might merit a name of its own but perhaps would best be called rock and roll. And, as befitting rock and rollers, they weren’t above indulging in the occasional solo, or posing with a fist in the air, or enlisting the audience’s hand-claps to supplement their rhythm section. What could have been inescapably lame was instead wholly appropriate, and quite charming.
And charm was, indeed, a major player in the band’s performance. Whether they were dedicating a song to a friend’s lost dog, or sincerely thanking their hometown friends and followers, they exuded a graciousness that made it that much harder to leave the Echo in anything but the highest of spirits.
Review by Greg Freedman
Photography by Glorioso Fajardo
Friday, December 3, 2010 11:45PM
Were you at the same show? He's My Brother She's My Sister brought most of the crowd and the fans were screaming for an encore. Half the audience left after Everest played their 'single'. This reviewer sounds like either an old fart or an ignorant moron. Haven't decided which. Either way this write up did not represent the show I remember.
Saturday, December 4, 2010 12:04AM
He's My Brother, She's My Sister was phenomenal. It's a shame the author of this clumsily-constructed article was unable to grasp the live energy and excellence of this band. They were the highlight and headliner in my book, don't let an out-of-touch office hermit tell you otherwise.
Saturday, December 4, 2010 12:05AM
This review sucks! Were you even at the show!?
Saturday, December 4, 2010 12:14AM
Don't know whether we were at the same show but as I remember He's My Brother She's My Sister brought most of the crowd and had them chanting for an encore. Half the crowd left through Everest's set after they played their 'single'. Something about this review sounds fishy. Did Everest drop you a few bucks before this one? Can't decide if this review makes you sound like an old fart or a tasteless snob.
Saturday, December 4, 2010 12:51AM
Though I didn't attend Thursday night's show, I have seen HMBSMS a few times before and have a hard time believing that we saw the same group. I find their performances to be unique and exciting and their music to be captivating and memorable. Their well-crafted collection of energy and sound is such a welcome reprieve from your average act, specifically Lauren's tap dancing–it's usually the first thing I mention when I sell yet another friend on the wonder that is HMBSMS. I've had the pleasure of seeing these guys both as an opening act when they took the stage before one of my favorite bands and also on their own when they returned to my city a week after their first show, and I was floored by their performance each time. It's a shame that you were unable to enjoy "He's My Brother, She's My Sister" in the same way I and many others have, but to each his own…
Saturday, December 4, 2010 10:02AM
Greg, I still don't understand why the echo gets such great bands to play there, because the sound sucks. Ok well not the sound, but the placement of the speakers. I'm sure they call it the echo cause anyone talking at the bar sounds like they're yelling cause it echoes back into the audience.
That said, I could hear the tapping perfectly, so maybe you need to move next time you can't hear something. Who uses the word spazz anymore anyway, what is this 1985? You realize that spazz is short for spastic, so really you're calling her tapping spastic? Great writing Greg, ya Spazz!. Also don't assume that the whole crowd was there to see Everest either.
Thanks for the great pics Glorioso.
Saturday, December 4, 2010 4:08PM
To be honest, I kind of remember that night differently. I loved the tapping and so did the crowd. He's My Brother She's My Sister had everyone dancing and having a great time. And, by the way, that Topanga Canyon comment was silly. Don't be silly.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 1:33AM
You couldnt hear the tap dancing cause the Sound Guy sucked….. end of story. you couldnt hear the harmonica in the vocal ..because the sound guy sucked more …. the reverb that was on the vocals was the setting for Everest vocals…. which he had to change after they asked him too… cause he was probly there for Everest… or just cause he sucked. And if their originals sound toothless then the writer of this is brainless…… boom. (bomb dropped) way to keep an open mind duder.
THIS BIASED REVIEW WRITER IS A EVEREST FAN …. AND THATS THAT. Not an objective viewpoint not an openminded one.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 11:19AM
Boy, nothing says "mediocre band desperate for attention" like a plain-on-its-face coordinated attack on an honest review by the band and its email list. Stay classy, HMB, SMS.
Actually, employing costumes and tap dancing gimmickry says "average band desperate for attention" just as well.
Come to think of it, so do precious band names.
Forgive me if I'll take the authority of an established publication like BeatCrave over the sad rantings of butthurt part-time musicians. Thanks for the thoughtful, informative review, BeatCrave Guest Writer!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 1:03PM
You should give up…..
Monday, January 24, 2011 4:00PM
Haha. Love this. Nothing speaks more of a pompous self absorbed critic than "Truthsayer Gorthon". This is Rob and yes I do play in HMBSMS. I love your mention of 'class' in such a manner deprived of the adjective. We did a simple post on facebook and this was the reaction. You gotta love fans like these! Class or no class I'd rather feel like we had a bunch of badasses who have back than a critic who is clearly trapped in a by-gone era where guys went on stage in jeans and a t-shirt and thought it was rock & roll. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but at least construct it in an articulate and perceptive manner. Your review comes of as biased and a bit narrow minded. I think people want to read something that doesn't reflect those qualities. Love it or hate it at least critique it with constructive criticism. That being said, good luck to you in future articles and reviews.