Did the Plot to Blow
Up the Eiffel Tower go soft? Local indie-rock quartet the Prayers originally
derived three members from the former San Diego punk outfit — though only two
remain — and their new routine drives the ’00 rock ’n’ roll-revival (led by acts
like the Strokes and the Libertines) down to the beach bar for some synced
harmonies and bluesy surf-rock conventions.
San Diego’s mini
music scene historically rides a cycle of hills and valleys, regenerating every
few years. According to the Prayers, chatting in the Che Cafe backwoods between
sets last Saturday night, they currently share a nook with friend-bands like
the Sess, the Muslims and Atoms, together pushing the city’s musical
resurgence. Art Fag Recordings, fronted by label tastemaker Mario Orduno,
released their 4-song debut EP God Save the Prayers back in April; star track
“Loose Lips” layers shimmering rays of guitar over a punchy, airtight rhythm
section, and “Clandestino” pairs a walking bassline with the warm and crunchy
tube-amp class that guitar legends are made of.
The boys played to a
respectable crowd at the Che, sharing a cozy stage with some chummy indie-soft
accomplices and appeasing an amicable yet jaded hipster posse. “I hear some
people/ Talking about me/ They got tongues like razor blades/ They don’t think
twice/ About fucking up your life,” lead singer/guitarist Brandon Welchez
belted on “Loose Lips,” with a knowing air of SoCal street-smarts.
Simple as it is, the
Prayers found their band name (also claimed by a pack of
others) obnoxious to come up with. “We wanted a name that didn’t force us into
a certain style of music. Like if you call yourselves the Jew Killers, you’re
going to be stuck with a certain image,” said the band. They’re certainly
living up to their holy nomenclature, securing a local following while cutting
demos of new material for an eventual full-length, slated for sometime next
year.
Until then, catch
the Prayers this Friday at FallFest, opening for the Roots. “Andrew [guitar,
vocals] kind of has a bone to pick with ?uestlove,” joked Welchez. My money’s
on the ’fro.
