wax idols new parish

Oakland’s Wax Idols played their final local show at New Parish before departing on tour for SXSW 2013 & beyond. For those unfamiliar with Wax Idols, they deliver heavy, up-front, rhythmic, self-classified *morbid classics* jams. Like many a grittier band, while Wax Idol’s discography stands up, it simply doesn’t do justice to the volume & depth of their live show. Having enjoyed the recordings–check out “Sound of a Void” below–it was definite pleasure to see the fleshed out version at New Parish.

Leader Hether Fortune bears a visual resemblance to Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O, and Hether could certainly match the intensity of the former. Yet to hang onto that comparison would be ill-fated. Hether’s crafted her own brand of rock here. Moreover, she put up an impressive ferocity whilst battling a cold on Wednesday. And while Wax Idols’ recording originally lead me to believe they were a less derivative version, tougher of, say, Bleached, their live show greatly expanded my understanding. The aggressive set nodded to hints of Sonic Youth, My Blood Valentine and Dinosuar Jr. But don’t take my word for it, check out their upcoming, second LP Discipline & Desire out March 26 on Slumberland.

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Wax Idols SXSW Dates
03/13 Austin, TX – Red 7 – Force Field PR / Stones Throw Showcase (SXSW)
03/13 Austin, TX – The Iron Bear – Slumberland Records Showcase (SXSW)

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