Concert Review: The Brevet Make Rock N’ Roll Hope At Bowery

It is hard not to compare artists, especially since we all inspire each other. Watching The Brevet’s lead vocalist Aric Chase Damm was like watching U2’s Bono and Tom Petty decide to create an ideal frontman with Kings’ of Leon’s Caleb Followill. They bash together gritty rock with currents of hopefulness, which goes to show that optimism is born from the lowliest times.

You know when you feel hopeful? When you have no reason to hope.The reason people struggle with this virtue is that it is supposed to be felt during struggle. You feel happy when you are supposed to feel happy, but you feel brave when you are supposed to feel scared. The point is that The Brevet may soil their guitars and drum arrangements with grunge and rocks to make their music feel born in dirty grit, but their lyrics plant the seeds for those seeking to grow emotionally higher.

Damm approaches the stage like a “Bono”; in essence, part preacher/ part rock n’ roll legend. When he is not closing his eyes and playing a sweet, guitar symphony, he walks around waving his hands and vocals as if The Brevet’s songs were deliverance. It makes sense considering most of them are about scorching through the road to somewhere better. Tracks like, “Upholder”, “So Long”, and “Locked And Loaded” speak to the inner determination we all have to swim through the murkier, muddier waters of our life and arrive to a beautiful shore. This could be why Damm treats his verses as if they were mantras; at times, declaring them like their life motivations, and summoning the crowd to join in and declare, as well.

One thing that leaps from The Brevet’s performance is that they BELIEVE in their work. I am not talking “arrogant” or even “confident” belief. I am talking about the artist that truly places into their song a better message for the world. Sure, they want to be stars filling our MSG like, we all wish we could. Yet, that does not take away their desire to altruistically ignite a good feeling, which explains why their songs have catchy chants, hooks, and melodies meant to wrap your ear with music that is a gift. The Brevet want you to love them, but only if you love yourself first. For More Information on The Brevet Click Here.