Throughout their eight-year career, Murder by Death have always presented an interesting combination of southern rock and emo - all the while really being neither. The easiest way to describe their sound, especially their newer material, is a highly emotive Johnny Cash playing with a very dark indie rockbacking band. Their show Wednesday night at the Black Cat showcased their unique style, something that can only really be understood through the glory of a live show.
After first opener Kiss Kiss warmed up the crowd with their death-disco madness, Brooklyn, N.Y.-originated O'Death took the stage. The quintet, frequent visitors to D.C. who performed at AU in 2006, released their full-length LP "Head Home" last June.
O'Death was nearly as dependent on its banjo and fiddle players as it was on its guitarist in their set, a departure from the guitar-driven instrumentals of Murder by Death. The banjo was a nice twist on the usual live sound, and multi-instrumentalist Gabe Darling played with fiery intensity. This aesthetic was one of everyman sorrow in a blues-styled manner, but at the same time it sounded nothing like blues. Caustic lead singer Greg Jamie howled in a way that was simultaneously visceral and listenable - another unique aspect of their bluegrass-tinged style.
The length of O'Death's set suggested a co-headline with Murder By Death. But this notion was all but erased when Murder By Death hit the stage. In one fell swoop, they reasserted their authority, suggesting that they were indeed the act of the evening.
Their set featured a number of songs from their new record, "Red of Tooth and Claw," including "Comin' Home" and "Fuego." Both tracks feature a heavy dose of Cash-style drawl, but transform that drawl into a style of the band's own.
A notable touch that keeps the Indiana-based band from all but reproducing Cash's sound, however, is the use of the cello in particularly effective ways. It's no surprise that Sarah Balliet's able cello skills contribute quite a bit to Murder By Death's dark, emotive sound. While their sound is without a doubt primarily guitar driven, nothing compliments a lightly distorted, detuned guitar like a cello's warm vibrations.
Lead singer and guitarist Adam Turla's voice fills an exacting range. He can waver between the beautiful boldness of a cello-driven sound and in an instant revert to a destructive style that meshes nicely with the sound of distorted guitar. It provides a healthy balance of chaos and melody.
Older favorites like "I'm Afraid of Who's Afraid" were in the set as well. After hearing newer songs, it became obvious how Murder By Death had progressed from their Cursive-like earlier sound to a much more southern style.
To really understand this combination of rock, goth and country styles, one must actually see Turla's onstage swagger which, complete with low hung guitar, exaggerated sideburns and a gruff baritone voice, perfectly expresses the band's style. The band's sound is rough, tough, probably fueled by alcohol and definitely depressed.
Murder By Death doesn't get its live show kicks by jumping off amplifiers or playing guitars behind heads. Instead, they rely on the mysticism of dark emotion vibrating through the air. Onstage, they are passionate but not overdone, a problem with many bands of today that verge on punk-styled sounds. Turla seems especially well-adapted and comfortable with life on the stage.
