The Blood Brothers, 27 September 2024

Crawling out of the basement in the early 2000s were experimental bands taking post-hardcore to a whole different level. Among these was a Seattle five-piece called The Blood Brothers, known for their feverish energy, nonconventional song structures, and bold lyrics. In the span of a ten-year career, they released five studio albums that truly changed the face of the genre. Even though they broke up in 2007, their influence can still be felt in the alternative music world, as it pushes a myriad of artists to be more experimental.

Origin and Formation

The Blood Brothers emerged in 1997 in Seattle, Washington - a city that already had its musical anecdotes with the grunge explosion at the beginning of the '90s. The members were Jordan Blilie and Johnny Whitney on vocals, Cody Votolato on guitar, Morgan Henderson on bass, and Mark Gajadhar on drums. They were teenagers then, with a shared fascination with the genre of punk rock, bound together by an attraction to create something absolutely new. Drawing inspiration from bands like Drive Like Jehu and Nation of Ulysses, the desire to meld the aggressiveness of hardcore with avant-garde sensibilities was evident.

Early Releases and Growing Buzz

Their debut full-length "This Adultery Is Ripe" introduced the world to their chaotic yet calculated sound. This album, put out via Second Nature Recordings, was a raw combination of screeching vocals, dissonant guitars, and relentless drums. Songs like "Rescue" and "Doctor! Doctor!" tugged their abrasive style and darkly poetic lyrics. Critics and scenesters within the underground music scene started taking notice of their uncompromising approach-the setup to a breakthrough. Relentless touring and high-energy live performances were sure to help them attain an extraordinary audience for their style.

Breaking Through with "March on Electric Children"

With 2002 came "March on Electric Children", their concept album about consumerism, media manipulation, and the breakdown of society, wherein The Blood Brothers showed growth as musicians, songwriters, and recording artists. With progressively complex arrangements, the album boasted a new sense of urgent aggression, best manifested in the cuts "Guitarmy" and "Kiss of the Octopus". The album was conceptual and showed a critique of modern society that finally started to connect with listeners and further imbedded the band as innovators in the post-hardcore scene.

The Magnum Opus: "Burn, Piano Island, Burn"

Things took a significant turn on their third album, "Burn, Piano Island, Burn" in 2003. With their third full-length being produced by Ross Robinson-a name associated with bands like At the Drive-In and Slipknot-the album launched them into the limelight. Robinson's production brought out a new level of intensity and sheen in their sound without sacrificing even an ounce of the raw energy in the process. It was a tour de force of experimental post-hardcore, drawing on punk and noise, with even jazz. Songs such as "Ambulance vs. Ambulance" and "Cecilia and the Silhouette Saloon" showed they could write infectious hooks amidst all the chaos. With complicated rhythms, dual vocals, and provocative lyrics, they were challenging listeners and critics alike, making the group critically praised while continuing to expand its audience base.

Further Evolution with "Crimes"

Into 2004, further evolution came with "Crimes". Further fleshing out their sonic palette, the album added electronic elements, piano, and even more melodic vocals. Produced by John Goodmanson, known for his work with Sleater-Kinney and Blonde Redhead, "Crimes" presented a more refined production without losing the band's edge. Tracks such as "Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck" and "Peacock Skeleton with Crooked Feathers" became fan favorites, with the band giving hints of how well they can balance abrasive sounds with catchy melodies. The lyrical content remains pungent as ever, reflecting upon love, betrayal, and societal critique. The album nailed their status as a band that was not scared to step out of the comfort zone and change their sound.

Final Chapter: "Young Machetes"

Their fifth and last album, "Young Machetes" in 2006, was an album where The Blood Brothers experimental more than ever. Co-produced by Guy Picciotto of Fugazi and John Goodmanson, the album was an elaborately genre-and-style-entwined tapestry. Songs like "Set Fire to the Face on Fire" and "Laser Life" captured that fearsome attitude toward making music, as it combined punk aggression with pop sensibilities and avant-garde experimentation. The album drew critical acclaim because of its ambitions and how the band remained true to making music that was considered out of the box. Despite this, tensions and disagreements started to arise, which eventually led to their breakup.

Disbandment and Legacy

In November 2007, the band The Blood Brothers declared their split due to taking new musical directions. At the time, fans were in a state of utter shock, but the members made sure that the splitting was done amicably and on mutual grounds. After the breakup, its members started to work on various projects: Johnny Whitney and Mark Gajadhar created Jaguar Love, adding electronic elements to indie rock, while Jordan Blilie, Cody Votolato, and Morgan Henderson formed Past Lives, replaying rock in a more experimental way. Henderson also joined Fleet Foxes as a multi-instrumentalist, showing the versatility of his talent. The disbanding of the band marked the end of an era, yet the impact it has made on the post-hardcore scene and, on a larger scale, alternative music, cannot be overlooked.

Influence on Modern Music

Originality in the Blood Brothers' approach has influenced a new generation of performers. Among bands that have cited them as their inspiration are Daughters, The Fall of Troy, and Letlive. This ability to refute genre constraints and lean into chaos inspired musicians to test the boundaries of possibility in alternative music. The dual vocals dynamic, meshing of disparate genres, and lyrical depth served as a template for future experimental post-hardcore bands to follow. Their influence is felt in the mainstream, too, where artists take their avant-garde inclinations and push them into more accessible formats.

Reunions and Continued Relevance

In 2014, The Blood Brothers finally reunited with a string of shows, including a headlining spot at Los Angeles' FYF Fest. Longstanding fans were enthusiastic about the reunion, and it introduced them to a whole new set of listeners. They performed with the same intensity and vigor that characterized their initial run-a proof more than anything that their music was still as relevant as ever. Although no new material was released, this brief return showed that their work will stand the test of time and stirred speculations about a possible future collaboration.
Blood Brothers can easily be called one of the major bands within the post-hardcore genre, remembered for bold experiments, lyrics filled with social controversy, and unusually energetic live performances. Their discography keeps on challenging and inspiring to this day, serving as a testament to how well fearlessness as an artist pays off. In an industry that often fits within the mold of trends and commercial considerations, Blood Brothers differed by following their course and leaving a permanent mark in the musical landscape. This is a legacy that reminds one of innovation born of those who dare to take risks and move against expectations placed upon them-a philosophy from which artists of all walks continue to draw inspiration.