Bristol O2 Academy, 26th February
Can you give a band more of a compliment than to say thank you for putting a smile on my face?
Dehd are a wonderfully charming band, with a natural, grounded feel about them. Nothing pretentious or overly arty here.
The Chicago trio comprising Emily Kempf, Jason Balla, Eric McGrady sit somewhere between indie rock and surf rock. Beautifully pitched vocals of Kempf overlay reverb-heavy guitar & blunt drumming. Its a haze inducing mix that leaves the listener awash with a warm fuzzy coat of sunshine on even the darkest of days and in the darkest of moods.
Live all three members are hypnotically alluring to watch in their own right. Three very differing and unique stage personas that somehow blend into a working collective.
Kempf with the rockstar swagger and husky notes. McGrady a brooding, silent presence that plays the drums with the same single steady strike employed by those toy teddybears of yesteryear that hold a stick and strike a plastic drum. Balla a non stop ball of energy, skipping around the stage like a teenager playing air guitar in their bedroom when they think no one is watching.
There is just something inherently likeable about this band.
At 5 albums in total, 3 in the last 4 years alone they are certainly a productive band. And whether gently skipping from album to album whilst streaming. Or hearing a medley of material live from all recordings there is a unmistakably consistency and thread linking and progressing the bands sound over the years.
Go see Dehd live if you can. They will help lift lifes heavt weights off your shoulders for a few hours.
And if you can’t see them live. Then dive into the back catalogue and improve your mood.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography / The Bristol Nomad
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
