Mondo Bizarre Magazine

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Telma Mota

They are four. At times, when it comes to vocal harmonies, they seem like one. Other times they look like two blocks that complement each other perfectly. A rhythm section (bass and drums) and a melodic section (guitars and vocals). Bass and drums deeply mark Warpaint’s songs given their density. Jenny and Stella are cohesive and impose very interesting dynamics on the different tempos of the songs. Emily and Theresa, for their part, are extremely melodic on the guitars in which the notes are distinguished one by one in the beautiful harmonies created by the instruments. Perhaps it is here, in Warpaint’s songs that the so-called dream pop has its most striking expression, all else is indie rock’n’roll in its softest essence.

The Californian band presented at Hard Club an increasing setlist: Stars, Champion, Hips, Bees, Krimson, Undertow, New Song. All in that atmospheric nostalgia so characteristic of Warpaint, like a hand rocking the cradle. The audience enjoyed it and applauded to the point where the band members felt at home with it, which made them loose more and open up into jokes and games. A hand fan came out of a saving hand from the middle of the audience for Jenny to cool off. Soon after, she waved it at Stella’s face, who effusively thanked her for the gesture. The folks liked it, of course they did. How not to? It’s fun!

Warpaint returned to the stage after a highly requested and sweaty encore to treat the crowd to Without; Nudes and Beetles drewing a valiant ovation. There is no doubt that the girls have a remarkable following of fans that shows itself.

The only thing that spoiled the party a little bit was the sultry heat reigning inside the Hard Club’s room. Almost unbearable. The exit door looked like a mirage in the middle of the desert.

The night air brought us the expected relief and the cold liquid of a drink running down the throat did the rest. Everything a Friday Summer night needs. What else …

words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Paulo Carmona

One thing are jeans that have faded over time and ended teared up by using and time, another a pair of jeans artfully torn here and there, to look rough and the result of a lifetime’s chance. Handmade, of course … no mass manufactured product.

There you have it, perhaps the best analogy I can think of at the moment to explain what Dehd’s indie rock sounds like to me.

The Chicago band, formed in 2015, includes: Emily Kempf (bass, vocals), Jason Balla (vocals, guitar), and Eric McGrady (drums) – uses a very unique sound, characteristic of bands a la Madchester, with the dirt of the short delay guitars and the raw and galloping bass, alternating between melodic and fast riffs and then a nostalgic lull to calm the hordes Things we hear in Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, The Smiths and the likes and that Dehd do a little more dirty with hints of psychedelia, garage rock’n’roll and some modern times digital machinery.

Emily Kempf in the high tones and vocal vibrato reminds Siouxsie Sioux, but when she drags her voice and lowers it to low and dark notes, she is very close to a Brody Dalle, irreverent. She stays there between one and the other. All good people and good references, I think.

On the other hand, Jason Balla is an inexhaustible source of energy. He is delirious. The way he throws himself into every riff! It really seems that the strident sound of his guitar enters his body. A stage monster.

Eric McGrady is in his world. Super focused and competent, he marks the progress of the songs with a very funny, apparent, calm. It looks like it has nothing to do with him.

Between songs from their latest album (Blue Skies, 2022), such as Window, Stars, Bad Love and Palomino and older songs in which Nobody, Loner, and Desire stood out, Dehd feasted the audience at CCOP with a very pleasant and fluid set, never letting the environment go lukewarm.

In the end, the friendly and very affable Jason Balla fraternized with some of those present always with an open and very honest smile.

The night was very agreeable and I didn’t even need to tighten my vest. I went down the pavement rocked by the swing of a summer night. There’s more tomorrow!

words: Marcos Leal (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Telma Mota

As the time for the beginning of the concert by the band responsible for selling out Mouco Hotel’s room approached, the audience filled the room to the sound Homem em Catarse, Afonso Dorido’s solo project. Between guitar, keyboards and voice, the musician painted cinematic soundscapes, sometimes more contemplative to the piano, sometimes denser due to the distortion emanating from the guitar, a well served bridge to the performance of the main band of the night.

When the time arrived and under a round of applause, revealing the audience’s enthusiasm, The Veils took to the stage and start with Bullfighter. However, Finn Andrews did not appear dressed as a bullfighter, nor does he bring a bullfighting cape with him, which does not prevent him from “fighting” the audience with the mastery that only an experienced artist has. Finn brings with him his characteristic hat and a look that matches the way he gestures, like a preacher, to the sound of his songs.

Between the sacred and the profane, Finn explored some of the most important songs of The Veils’ career with particular emphasis on the recently released album … And Out Of The Void Came Love. The pace of the performance grew with more electric with songs like Here Comes The Dead, Not Yet, Low Lays the Devil and Nux Vomica that lead the audience to a bigger uproar in which Finn seemed to embody a certain Australian neighbour called Nick.

When the encore arrives, Finn returned alone to play two songs. One of which, Leavers Dance, requested by the audience, hasn’t been played live in about 15 years. Understandably, Finn plays it as best as he can without rehearsing, using the internet on his cell phone so he doesn’t get the lyrics wrong. It was a fun and empathetic moment that will remain in Finn’s memory and those attending.

With the whole band back on stage an encore with three excellent songs, Someday My Love Will Find Me and Rings Of Saturn, from the latest album, and Jesus for the Jugular from the album Nux Vomica – one of the most striking song of The Veils’ career – in no way affected by broken strings. Therefore, the band – Finn Andrews (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Cass Basil (bass), Jo McCallum (drums), Tom Healy (slide guitar), Liam Gerrard (keyboards), Dave Khan (violin)-, said goodbye visibly pleased to have ended the tour in Porto where they were so well received by a room sold out promising a return.