The Messthetics with James Brandon Lewis meets Rock & Jazz Chemistry at Philadelphia’s Solar Myth (SHOW REVIEW)

In mid-March, as the frigid winds of winter were taking their last breath, veteran instrumental punk trio consisting of two Fugazi members, The Messthetics, teamed up with acclaimed saxophonist James Brandon Lewis for a collaborative album. The nine-song album was energetic, lyrical, impactful, and above all, a testament to the progression of jazz fusion. Their chemistry is striking, and while the studio recordings are vibrant pieces that seem to move on their own, hearing The Messthetics and Lewis live is where the true magic of their collaboration is present. Last Thursday (August 8), a small bar/coffee shop/vinyl and book store in Philadelphia known as Solar Myth was packed with jazz enthusiasts as the newly formed quartet took over the small venue in the back of the store for a night of blaring trumpets and hypnotic melodies.

Solar Myth is located south of Broad Street in the city of Brotherly Love. From eight to noon, it is a coffee shop serving refreshing caffeinated beverages, and from noon onwards, the bar offers beer and wine. While the drink menu changes, its passion for jazz and ambiance does not. The dark bar is a little haven for music fans and artistic encounters, and hosts live performances, such as the powerful jazz fusion of Messthetics and Lewis. The bar was packed that Thursday night, as the sky was overcast and gloomy, and the scent of freshly fallen raindrops made the city of Philadelphia feel that much more quaint and peaceful.

Lewis and The Messthetics wore a serious face as they took the stage in front of Solar Myth’s small, packed back room. Very few words were exchanged between performer and audience during their set. Instead of engaging in friendly banter between songs, the band skipped that middle part almost entirely. Any momentary pause in the music was necessary to let the audience catch their breath as Lewis, bassist Joe Lally, drummer Brendan Canty and guitarist Anthony Pirog delivered a performance that shook the foundations of the venue. They jumped right into the album’s lead single, “Emergence,” an all-encompassing tune with frenetic rhythms and elegant guitar work. The band performed the majority of their album, with live highlights including “That Thang,” with its nods to Pharoah Sanders-esque horns, and “Boatly,” a somber but unpredictable cut from the LP.

The nuances of the chemistry between Lewis and The Messthetics come alive and dance around the room, genuinely encapsulating the freedom expressed in their music. Lally’s basslines become more prominent and add a subtle boost to the resonant art of jazz fusion, and Lewis is able to hone in on his true creative freedom as the live performance space leaves plenty of room for improvisation. Canty’s drum patterns soar to new heights while Pirog’s guitar work creates mesmerising melodies, allowing the entire room to feel as free as the boundless vastness of jazz fusion.

If you were a fan of Mesthetics and James Brandon LewisSeeing it live is a must-see. The collaborative project’s stop at Philadelphia’s Solar Myth featured the prism of light captured by these four artists and directed at the audience for a jaw-dropping experience of blinding fusion work. The tour will continue through the end of November, with stops in Phoenix, Seattle, and Los Angeles. The band will also be traveling overseas for a few stops, including Berlin, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. You can check out the remaining dates of James Brandon Lewis and The Messthetics’ tour below.