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Album review: Berwanger - Demonios

Josh Berwanger is one of those guys that is a local legend, but doesn’t have to be local. He is not just some Kansas City kid trying to make it. When I read that he is playing somewhere I frequent, I get nervous. I mean, it’s Josh Berwanger, FROM THE ANNIVERSARY. In fact, I went to see him earlier this year at a sports bar. He played with Matt Pryor. I watched in awe, took in all of his electro-acoustic brilliance. But, sadly I was too nervous to say hello. He’s just coming off of a national tour, opening for Matt Pryor and The Get Up Kids to sold-out crowds. Kansas City is more than lucky to call him ours.
 
Berwanger is a fantastic guitar pop project. And Demonios is the second effort from this project, a six-song EP, being released on High Dive Records. Deservingly so, “Demonios” is the first single from this EP. This track is super catchy. Almost an update on a ‘50s-style guitar and harmony-heavy pop tune, mix in some impressive tempo changes and catchy rhymes and you’ve got yourself an instant Berwanger classic (Picture me doing the dishes and singing along “please let these dishes get done. Please let these dishes get done. They just sit around and run, they ain’t havin’ any fun. Dishes get done. Na na na na na na”).
 
Another favorite track from Demonios is “Cherry.” A break-up, I’m-movin’-on, fast-paced, dreamy vocal, catchy 50’s-sounding pop guitar—stuck in your head but in a great way—hit. This song, live, is so good. I dance and dream of being cha cha cha Cherry.
 
Onto the next track, “Blackheart,” the most interesting transition on this album. Josh takes us on a ride, from electric pop guitar and catchy sugary lyrics, to steel guitar and sad drug-infested lyrics and beautiful country harmonies. “Oh baby, you’re gonna die.” This is one of my favorite tracks of the year. I can’t get enough.
 
The brands of guitar on this album are contradicting yet cohesive. They complement each other like nothing I’ve really heard. It was an ambitious and daring move and after listening, you walk away fulfilled. Put it on and take a journey through tempo changes and genre jumps with Josh and his dreamy vocals.
I can’t wait to get my mitts on that beautiful purple splattered vinyl tomorrow night at Mills. Maybe I will work up the courage to shoot Josh a really smooth “Sup” and get a signature. Don’t bet on it. **Cue Garth and Wayne “WE’RE NOT WORTHY!”
 
 
--Jess Barrett
Haver of sweet dance moves and stealer of t-shirts.
 
 
If you’re in the area this weekend, you have three chances to catch Berwanger:
Friday at The Blind Tiger, with The Conquerors (who are releasing their single “You Must Be Dreaming”; see our review here), Drugs & Attics, and El Rey-Tones. 9 pm. Facebook event page.
Saturday at Replay Lounge (Lawrence), with The Conquerors and Psychic Heat. 10 pm. Facebook event page. 




Too Much Rock Singles Series Vol 3: Josh Berwanger Band - Oh Bis!

Josh Berwanger Band gets us ready for summer with a new single release as part of the Too Much Rock Single Series. The series—curated by Sid Sowder—has local bands doing one side with an original song and one side with a cover song chosen by the band. Berwanger's single is the third volume in the series (the first two by Schwervon! and Rev Gusto).
 
The A-side is a Berwanger song called "Oh Bis!" to which he helpfully adds a spoken word postscript explaining the origin of the song. The song itself hearkens back to ‘80s power pop and chugs along with some subtle changes in the rhythm. It's a classic "Woe is me" teen angst song and sounds great in the car with the windows down. The B-side is a cover of an obscure 1979 single by The Jags, which sounds like a great lost early Elvis Costello rocker. Its infectious chorus of "I've got your number / written on the back of my hand" complete with handclaps is impossible not to like.
 
I'm a fan of their recent album Strange Stains. To my ears, this is the best local pure power pop band out there now. Get 'em while you can. These 45s are limited editions. 
 
--Barry Lee
 
Barry is host of Signal To Noise, which airs on KKFI 90.1 FM every Sunday at 8 pm. He spends his weekdays being station manager of KKFI.
 
 

You can see Josh Berwanger Band this weekend at Boulevardia, in the West Bottoms. They play at 6:15 p.m. on the Chipotle Homegrown stage. Facebook event page. They’ll also be playing Lawrence Field Day Fest on June 28 at The Bottleneck at 11:00 p.m. Also, watch for Too Much Rock’s fourth volume of the Single Series to come soon!

Here’s a video of an in-studio performance for 90.9 The Bridge of the song “Mary,” recorded at Weights & Measures Soundlab.

 

 

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