Brick and Mortar are one of the few bands that conjure up images of carousels and cocaine. This comparison formed from their unique sound of combining snappy drumming, with modern pop, rock and a sound borrowing from the psychedelic ingredients of the 60’s.
The two piece indie-outfit started in Asbury Park NJ adding smooth bass, choppy rhythms and honest lyrics to their version of controlled chaos. Going back to March 2008, bassist/singer Brandon Asraf and drummer/effects/vocals John Tacon met in school starting their history as Black Rhythm. Building a reputation and following in Asbury Park from their live shows touring down the Jersey Coast, they earned spots opening for River City Extension and Jimmy Eat World playing the Starland Ballroom and the Stone Pony and Loufest and Lollapalooza festivals. They’ve also opened for Imagine Dragons and Icona Pop.
In 2010 they independently released 7 Years in the Mystic Room a symbolic reference to all the challenges, struggles and progress made over seven years to get to that point, finding themselves musically. In 2010 they performed at the Sony/Jive Records showcase and won an award presented by the company’s Senior V.P. after having a sing-off with a crowd heckler.
Translating their unique sound live they jam with live samples equipped with triggers. Taking a schizophrenic approach to their music, some of the best stuff often comes from mess ups, screw ups and ‘happy’ accidents. They can fit in with most any band just recently playing at Blind Bobs with Nightbeast. Their music has a darker side of life feel both musically and lyrically and they inspire people to live a better life.
Putting their game face on for every show, channeling their emotions and energy they present a very in your face show then ‘cool’ down offstage going back to their naturally mellow state of being.
Their new EP Bangs is out and the music for the title track is very Urge Overkill meets trippy pop however the video is a force of violence for fans of Hostile and Fight Club. Both lyrically and visually about Brandon’s father and his no BS attitude towards life in the underground is exemplified in the song.
When asked if they play anything from the Black Rhythm days they said. “In a sense everything we play is from that era because it’s our beginning and everything is rooted there.” www.brmr.net
