Swami John Reis with the Blind Shake
Starting with their debut 7" single "Old Lines, Sore Bones" on the Fort Gezzepi imprint in 2004, the band has refined a unique, stripped-down sound over the course of several home-recorded albums. With no bass player covering the bottom end (Mike plays baritone guitar while Jim plays a standard six-string), the brothers' raging riffs snarl and snap at each other like a pair of rabid dogs locked in a closet over Roper's muscular, propulsive beats.
The band received more attention after their pair of acclaimed collaborations with psych/noise hero Michael Yonkers (an eponymous album and 2007's Carbohydrates, Hydrocarbons). The band also backed Yonkers for a celebrated tour in addition to working with him on the 2009 split EP Cold Town/Soft Zodiac. Known for their frenetic live performances, last year The Blind Shake released the trio's latest incendiary effort on Thee Oh Sees John Dwyer's Castle Face Records imprint, Key to a False Door. This special show backing Reis will also feature sets from noted San Diego surf-tinged retro rockers Mrs. Magician and opening local band Musk, whose self-titled debut on Holy Mountain Records approximates what feral '90s noise-punk legends the Jesus Lizard might have sounded like if early rock guitar innovator Link Wray had joined the band.
Swami John Reis with the Blind Shake
Thursday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m. $12-$14
The Bottom of the Hill