‘Nothing Changes Everything’ by Dead Bob
The Bandcamp search tool led me to Canadian band Dead Bob and their second album ‘Nothing Changes Everything’. This is the latest project from John Wright, drummer and songwriter of the band Nomeansno. While clearly rooted in punk there’s more to it musically. What we get is a frantic, high velocity assault on the senses. This hits every beat for me. Aggressive, dissonant, humorous, genre-defying, and adventurous.
Loud guitars with the rhythmic syncopation of art rock. Driving drums and meditative synth pads. Lyrically sparse and aggressive vocals with accents of pointed expletives. Everyone takes part in a call and response style that conjures images of an angry B-52s. Electronic effects plucked from new wave dance like Bronski Beat in a bathtub with a toaster. Horns emerge as if they just quit a ska band for a more cathartic experience.
Like so many projects, Dead Bob came to be during the dark days of Covid. With time on his hands, Wright took to revisiting a deep catalog of demos and songs, both from Nomeansno and his own works. The first Dead Bob album ‘Life Like’ was much more of a true solo venture, with Wright joined by a rotation of collaborators. However, ‘Nothing Changes Everything’ explores the limits and abilities of a live band more thoroughly.
Combining a diverse set of styles are an equally diverse set of players:
-
John Wright – drums
-
Ford Pier – keyboards and trombone
-
Byron Slack – guitar
-
Kristy Lee Audette – guitar and trumpet
-
Colin MacRae – bass
-
Selina Martin – guest vocals/songwriter (‘Save Me From Myself’)
-
AND EVERYONE SINGS!!!
“Genre is a tough one to convey but one thing that is not
unclear is it is not to be listened to quietly!” – Dead Bob
‘Nothing Changes Everything’ cannot be pigeonholed. It’s angry and fun. It’s challenging and accessible. It’s balls-to-the-wall and introspective. It keeps you on your toes from one track to the next. And though it defies definition there is something distinctly singular and unique to the sound and satisfying about the performance. Check it out on Bandcamp.
Cheers!
Stephen
Instagram → instagram.com/dead._.bob
Bandcamp → deadbob.bandcamp.com
Linktree → linktr.ee/deadbobstuff
Website → deadbob.ca
Facebook → facebook.com/DeadBobMusic
