Album Notes

Saving Rock ‘n Roll: One Brick at a Time

By Kevin Sherman

Playing Punk Rock Wednesday at the Austin, TX Backroom, The Bricks ATX hit the stage to a sparse crowd as the echoes of the opening band’s catchy “Why Can’t We Just Go Home and Fuck” died out to sporadic clapping and a defiant belch from the departing band. The Bricks, featuring frontman JJ Pistols of the classic punk group Strap-Onz, began setting up their gear as loyal fans ranging from the super sexy mid-twenties to the hard rockin’ mid sixties (yep, the old folk know how to rock too) rolled in on cue to fill the venue and catch the night’s music which would include some debut songs off The Bricks soon to be released CD. Backs to the audience during sound check, lead guitarist Adrian Moorefield ripped through some quick riffs while bassist Cliff DeVille and drummer Mike Travis (both formerly from the Austin favorite band Naked Vanilla) exchanged beats back and forth, the growing crowd milling around anxiously as they waited for the tunes to start. Finally giving the audience what they wanted, Pistols turned and swaggered to the mic, staring the audience down as if to say “I dare you not to rock” while the Bricks kicked off a marathon set of non-stop playing with Prisoner. The only slowing in the action came when Pistols paused briefly after a couple of songs, defiantly uttered “Fuck you, we’re the Bricks” as a straight up introduction to the listeners and quickly ripped into the intro of the frenetic Reeperbahn. Throughout the night, Pistol’s work on rhythm guitar effectively bridged the gap between percussion and six string, the heavy influence of Ramone and Richards coloring his style. Bassist DeVille laid down some nasty bass lines with real flair and Travis, sweat pouring with the effort, punched the beat up with the skins to round out the powerful rhythm. Moorefield, former bassist for the group, has found his rightful home as lead guitarist and added his innovative leads to complete the mix on The Bricks hard charging, in your face, all-original playlist. If ever in doubt, have no fear: sweaty, energetic rock ‘n roll is alive and well in Austin, Texas and if Wednesday’s show is any kind of indicator, it will soon come to a neighborhood near you as the Bricks take their show on the road. Note: for song samples booking information and availability you can check out the Bricks ATX at http://www.myspace.com/bricksatx