The Bravery Are Seriously OK
By Chase on Sep 1, 2005 in Pop Culture
Long-time readers may remember a post I made facetiously calling the Bravery “badasses.” It’s that kind of biting wit that you — the reader — have come to expect from this clearinghouse of Chase Martyn-related information.
Well, today I’m here, metaphorical trucker hat in hands, to set the record straight: The Bravery are not, prima facie, sucky. Keep in mind, I’m putting my credibility on the line here; not just anyone can come out and say something like this.
But here’s why I know what I know:
- The Bravery are accused of mimicking other artists in a genre of music that is already mimickry. Seriously: does anyone realize that when they accuse the Bravery of being a ripoff band, they’re implying the premise that the Killers aren’t a ripoff band? If the Bravery play the Killers’ game better than the Killers, or as well as the Killers, or almost as well as the Killers, so be it. Stop making the Killers out to be victims. Clearly, we are the victims.
- The Bravery play decent music. Not anything special, but who expects that?
- The whole Killers fan club hates the Bravery. If I have to choose sides in a battle between people who feel loyal to the Killers and people who don’t, I’ll gladly cancel my Rag Shop and Sephora credit card accounts and go back to Goodwill for t-shirts and FCUK for boot-cut jeans.
- When I encounter hipsters who are slightly less along the way towards Bravery enlightenment than I am, it’s easy to pass off my interest in the Bravery as ironic: It’s at least as ironic as listening to the Killers, and Bravery songs haven’t gotten old yet!
- They play the Bravery at the Apple Store, where one can buy pretty objects made out of white plastic and aluminum that do important, artistic things — and that’s really indie.
- No members of the Bravery are mormons, nor are any of them from Las Vegas.
If you’re reading this, I encourage you to jump on the Bravery bandwagon pronto, because it’s about to fill up!
Update: Since this post debuted over a minute ago, millions of people have asked me to post a Bravery mp3. Unfortunately, I can’t do that, because the Bravery’s label is, well, BIG.
Chase Martyn observes and analyzes politics from Des Moines, IA, capital of 2008's first caucus state. He is also Managing Editor of the 
Silly thoughts of rivalry do not come to mind when I went to saw ‘The Bravery’ in Tucson. I am also a Killers fan but I do not see that much similarity in their music and style. Its alternative, get over it. Its silly kids stuff for Killers fans to hate them. Does that mean that I should start hating The Killers? Hell no because I don’t listen to the cattle crowd. I trust my own judgment.
The Bravery put on a polished, flawless and intense performance with awesome songs, among the best live performances I have ever seen and I have seen allot. I went to see them in Phoenix on Monday and their performance went well beyond the norm with an intense presentation of “Tyrant” that drove the crowd wild. They are getting hotter by the minute. I liked the change in dress to the NY band style. Sam wore a suit coat, faded black tee and a riveted belt slung low. Later he stripped off the coat and made his signature moves, writhing and thrusting on the stage totally into the crowd and the music. His body language portrayed each song. He gave it his all blowing away the crowd.
Sam has a unique and special voice with excellent control. Every member of the band is the hot. They are the total package: Voice, skill, song writing excellence and performance.
They command the stage the moment they set foot on it. Sam’s performance is emotional, raw, sexy and intense. The crowd can’t take their eyes off of him. If you get a chance to see them live now, do, because you won’t get the chance to see them in the theatrical venues for long. These guys are headed for the Arena Stages without a doubt.
Their new songs are freaking hot, I am waiting for the next CD, antsy, about it actually.
When the show was over I heard people in the crowd saying “that was incredible†ranting praises and looking stunned. Sometimes you just know when you see ‘it’ and ‘it’ is in The Bravery.
Temir | Oct 19, 2005 | Reply