Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Since 1999 the Brimstones from Jersey have been playing this weird, spooky surf that has been chilling the bones of mortals and lightening the spirits of the undead. They have creepy vintage organ playing mixed in with bits and pieces of religious sound bites, dark vocals and saxophone any several tracks. Thank Satan the vocals aren’t lame, I hate it when surf bands try to have vocals and they end up sucking...but this is not the case here. Where there are vocals the bands kind of shifts into a chaotic lo-fi garage band that the vocals fit in with perfectly. You get 19 tracks that are sure to be the perfect music score for ritual disemboweling and virgin sacrifices. –Lisa - http://www.rocknrollpurgatory.com
The Brimstones play surf rock instrumentals (like Link Wray who was the headliner.) The music is actually instro-MENTALS. I think they invented a new genre - "Satan Surf!" These are young guns (in their 20's), and they can crank out serious fun! Geekish-looking (bowling shirts/ a few of them wear glasses/slicked back hair- you get the picture?), the music is anything but. Throwin' out some maxed-out reverb on tunes like "Pitchfork," "Cloven Hoof Stomp," "Surfin' Sinner,"... you see where this is going right?- Straight to Hell, boys, straight to Hell! (Nicked that one from the Clash.)
And you know what? IT ALL WORKS!! Think of the Ramones, and all the influences in their music (punk, obscure one hit wonders, rock, & all the cool stuff that makes music so interesting when it's done right), that's part of what I feel Asbury Lanes is all about! And there are no neanderthal knuckle-draggers, no asshole beer-swiggin' muscleheads, and their ilk - just cool cats & kittens. That includes the people that work there and the ones who come to the shows or just hang out. It’s a very cool vibe
If your wonderin', yeah, The Brimstones (good boys with bad boy pretentions - cool dudes) played a cover of The Safari's "Surfer Bird," a spastic, wild, rollercoaster instrumental that spearheaded their encores. Then came "Louie, Louie," "Gloria," then back to "Surfin' Bird" to conclude a frenzied, sonic breakdown that invoked music's past, present, and future. The Brimstones rule! All hail Satan!!! (... oh, sorry got carried away with myself! Cool set!) - Jersey Beat
Hellfire! Hellfire!! Hellfire!!!
All hail Satan’s creation, an incarnation of illicit insanity, inviting you to imbibe and imbue their impish ideals! These are the Brimstones, the new Jersey Devils of rock, inspired by the almighty Tiki to wreak havoc with their eternal surf-n-garage damnation!
Yes, they are a bit spooky. And no, they aren’t your average surf or garage band. They lay (the smack) down (on) some of the evilest melodies your ears have had the pleasure to bleed to. This one arse-kicking debut, oh yes.
The A-side contains two instrumentals, which take slightly different approaches to the "fright" concept of giddy surf music. On the flip is a long, jingly, dancy tune, which reminds the listener that this band is really not so evil. They just act this way to get chicks (and record contracts and gigs and fans, too, I suppose).
The leadoff and title track features a grim melody unfailingly executed via organ. Watching Deacon, the organist-vocalist, play his instrument live is more entertaining than listening to a recording, but overall, the Brimstones have done a good job translating their fuego del diablo onto vinyl.
"San Onofre" lets the guitarist flex his treble-laden chops over a bristling rhythm. It’s shorter in length, but high on malevolence. The diabolical saxophony of The Skootch adds to the feral racket.
For the dancers among us, the B-side, "Cloven Hoofed Stomp!!!" provides a steady beat, shrewdly lifted from a few decades past, as Deacon summons the devil in you to get off your feet and boogie down.
The Brimstones’ new 7-inch will give you a sexy yet scary intro to their style, and it will also make you dance like a fool. Be sure to find them playing at a hole in the wall in your local area soon. - The Rutgers Review
4 out of 5 Skulls
It’s all about the Man Downstairs for The Brimstones, and what an infernal racket they’ve put together in their quest to convert wayward Christian youth! It doesn’t get messier than this folks: Farfisa organ played like Candace Hilligoss at the carnival of souls - chords a junkin’, sax a bleatin’, drums a crashin’...and a love of horror spread through all 19 tracks. Putting heart where thay don’t have funds, these guys do an admirable job of reviving the lunacy of ‘60s surf punk and pumping it with Saturday morning horror matinees. Featuring faves like Cloven Hoof Stomp, Go-Go Gomorrah and Strip For Satan, The Brimstones put more headache in this disc then all of Hugh Hefner’s platinum wives put together. Choose Brimstones or perish in salvation! -GC
- Rue Morgue Magazine
**** 1/2 out of 5
A great new surf/garage band performing three great tunes - all packed in a full-color sleeve. These are classics, so good that they really deserve to appear on a full-length release. There is loads of reverb on the guitar and they use a vintage organ to give it a spooky, demonic sound that fits right in with the theme of the EP. If you dig the sound and energy of The Bomboras and The Treblemakers you should dig this brand new combo. - The Continental #8
Discography
Satan's Crate [7"] 1999
Spend Eternity with the Brimstones [CD] 2002
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Born in the summer of 1998, the Brimstones have lured hundreds of sinners into their clutches with the promise of true rock & roll salvation.
Transcending the trappings of a mere “rock show”, the Brimstones make each performance an event of biblical proportions - their legion of faithful followers and a wake of wreckage can attest to that.
The Brimstones inject instrumental and beat music with manic energy, taking the “surf & garage” standard to depths unfathomable. Sacrificing both personal safety and vintage instruments, they shove an evening of rhythm & blues inspired chaos down their audiences’ throats
For those willing to stand close to the commotion, there’s bubblegum hooks and greasy dance steps (Original Sin, Cloven Hoof Stomp), creepy graveyard scares (Abandon All Hope Ye Who Surf Here), snot-nosed 60’s punk (Baby Gets Around and Voodoo, Hex & Shake It), and a little blue melody to drown your soul in (A Minute to Live, A Second to Die and This Side of the Other Side).
The Brimstones’ message has converted members of all faiths and denominations including garage, punk, psychobilly, ska, surf, hardcore, klezmer, indie rock...and everything in between. They’ve shared pulpits and congregations with the Cramps, the Damned, the Nekromantix, the Slackers, Dick Dale, Demented Are Go, Dexter Romwebber, Against All Authority, the Woggles, the Black Lips, the Independents, Kings of Nuthin’, the World/Inferno Friendship Society & the Chelsea Smiles – to name just a few.
The Brimstones’ mark has been burned into such well known stages as Irving Plaza, BB King’s, CBGB’s, the Stone Pony and Maxwell’s and at festivals like Cavestomp, Heavy Rebel Weekender, Big New York Psychobilly Rumble and TrentonFest. And for those not on the social gadfly tip, the Brimstones have performed on the airwaves of radio stations such as WFMU, as well as having live performances streamed, archived and released on CD by eMusicLive (for those who are slaves to the machine).
Devoted Brimstones followers hold positions in some of the best publications around, including Rue Morgue (“...the lunacy of ‘60 surf punk and...Saturday morning horror matinees....Choose Brimstones or perish in salvation”); The Rutgers Review (“[Satan’s Crate] will make you...dance like a fool”); The Continental (“These are classics...”); Phil Dirt, Surf’s Up, WKFJC says “Evil & destabilizing...driven like a Hammer film”. As a testament to truth in advertising, Asbury Park Press: “If you haven’t seen the Brimstones live, you should shoot yourself in the face!”
What kind of rock & roll tent revival could inspire such loyalty amongst its followers? Up front is organ player/singer/chaplain the Deacon, grinding keys & vocal cords until his blood decorates the stage. To his left is the Brain, pushing Fender amps & his fingers beyond the point of ruin. Holding up the bottom end is Pogo, who digs such a deep groove with his bass that he ends up neck deep in trouble. Rounding out this circle of ceremony is Tommy Q-Ball, so hopped up on the skins that he can’t sit down if his life depended on it...though yours just might.
As the music scene thrives, the Brimstones are stealing it for themselves, one soul at a time. If the end comes tomorrow, will you be saved? The choice is yours...either get burned or get lost!!!
Links
