Liquid Limbs - Orquid

What is the deal with all these two-piece bands? Is it really that hard to find other people to play with? Ordinarily, I'd say that we might be able to chalk it up to finances: less people in the van, smaller vehicles; blah, blah, blah; but invariably the bands feel the need to be twice as loud, which I would think would offset any savings, albeit garnering them proportionately more drink tickets.

Whatever their motivation, Liquid Limbs break from convention and opt to have vocals, and even melodic ones sometimes, on top of their pummeling sonic onslaught. Rumor has that it works live, although I bet like everyone else they are often at the mercy of the soundman. Singer/guitarist Kevin Nowak seems like he might be a new-school Billy Corgan (a musical, not personality compliment) in the way he matches sludgy post-Sabbath riff rock to hooky melodies. He's got a lot of balls in the air, playing all the chordal stuff on standard and baritone guitars well as holding down the mike slot, but he makes it sound pretty easy on Orquid. There is ample time in each of the eleven songs for him to merely rock the shit out of you, as Liquid Limbs do lay down a formidable groove when they want to. It helps that drummer Chase Permann pounds the living bejesus out of his kit. I give you Make Peace To War, as an example. It matches the technical precision of Pelican with the vocal gymnastics of Totimoshi or maybe even a little Judas Priest. I like the way the vocals sound more than the actual words, but Orquid has really piqued my interest. They've played a bunch of The Fest shows and toured with Torche and Baroness, but I could see them just as easily with Kayo Dot or Dillinger Escape Plan. Hell, if someone decides to care, it wouldn't surprise me if we saw Liquid Limbs playing with bands like Coheed and Cambria in the near future. Liquid Limbs have the chops and the heaviness to hold their own in either arena.

If you like your music Sabbath heavy but with some King's X vocal layering, Liquid Limbs may very well be your thing. They will be at The Fest this year and are no doubt playing a gang of dates behind Orquid. You can buy the record here from the good folk of Sound Study Recordings. For whatever reason, it's only available on vinyl and digitally, although I bet you'll get the convntional CDR with the vinyl. SSR is run by some ex-As Friends Rust/Salem dudes and Orquid is their first release. It's a good choice. They are playing in town in November at Charleston and Lit Lounge. I'll harass as it gets closer, but if I have my druthers, we'll see these guys with Batillus sometime soon. Check out the LL site here.

R