Jesus Comes to the Rescue in the Video for “Strut Punchin” from BRASS

Photo By Kosta Prodanovic

Vancouver’s functionally dysfunctional six-pack totin’ punks BRASS have sobered up this week long enough to promote the release of their latest video for “Strut Punchin,” the second single off their recently released full throttle debut, No Soap Radio. Conceptualized and created by the dudes in ROOM, a video production collective that consists of a small but talented group of Vancouver filmmakers, “Strut Punchin” is a quasi-satirical narrative that follows the misadventures of a diaper sportin’ dirtbag (played by guitarist Tristan Milne) on his quest for free beer, which quickly turns out to be a trap by "the man" (drummer Rory Troughton) to cut his hair. Luckily however, Jesus (accurately portrayed by bassist Zak Garret) comes to the rescue and the rest, as they say, is Old Testament.

The live shots were filmed at their album release at the Astoria a couple months ago and, as you will see, BRASS are an exceptionally rowdy live band; singer Devon Motz even gives the Jesus Lizard’s David Yow a run for his blood stained money as he rolls around in a mess of things that can only be found at the greatest and grimiest of punk shows.

“For the most part the blood and beer is to distract everyone from the fact that I have no clue what I'm doing. And it totally worked. You didn't even ask about the fact that I have no clue what I'm doing,” Motz tells Noisey with a shit-eating grin on his face. BRASS has been a band for two years now so it’s arguable that they maybe do in fact know exactly what they’re doing. When No Soap Radio dropped in June it proved to be a rapid release of tension from a band who’d been taking their time perfecting their chops and taking advantage of every opportunity presented to them.

“The M.O. while writing the songs was to trim the fat and keep only what we needed and I think it resulted in a short but earnest record that made its point and got the fuck outta dodge. Straight for the jugular you know?” Motz says. Shortly after its release the band didn’t waste any time to get a cross-Canada tour rolled out. And while they didn’t exactly make it all the way across the country because of van problems and two-timing small town mechanics, they made just enough noise to piss the right amount of people off for their first time out on the road, including a stop in Calgary opening for Pissed Jeans at Sled Island Music Festival. “We knew tour would be hard, but had no idea it would be a crucible for the band,” Motz says. “It showed us where our strengths were and exposed our weaknesses. We came out stronger than ever and ready for the next tour.”

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And now with a couple videos and a rock solid debut stuffed in to their crusty old underwear, the boys of BRASS don’t show any signs of slowing down. The beer is going to keep flowing and it won’t be long before they’re cracking another keg for the release of their next 7-inch that is expected to be rearing its ugly head in the next couple months. Drunk or sober, through the highs and lows, BRASS is proving that a band who drinks together stays together. “Band dynamics and alcohol is a double-edged sword,” Motz says. “Our music is designed to be fun, like taking shots at 3 A.M., but creating it can be more difficult to manage, like a hangover at 3 P.M.”

Glenn Alderson is a writer living in Vancouver. He is on Twitter.