Picture a big, hairy motherfucker -- long in front, long in back, and long neck hair too -- with a denim vest loaded with patches, a jug of whiskey, and a crossbow.
He's rocking out to some righteous tunes while sucking on a righteous doobie. The question: What's on the stereo? Allman Brothers? Or some bombastically bonged-out riffage, plodding Swamp Thing sludge, and cotton-mouthed demon screaming.
Our point is that when it comes to Southern rock and Southern stoner metal, the line is fine. But acclaimed Baton Rouge doom outfit Thou strives to make that line more distinct.
Drugged Conscience curator and promoter, Chris Donaldson, describes the group as "Southern-influenced doom with atmospheric tendencies" -- a straightforward enough band description, except that Donaldson insists that the band's punk pedigree refines their super-heavy sounds.
Taking a page from anarchist-friendly DIY punk, Thou sets its thematic sights on subject matter outside of the usual cars, weed, and general evilness that dominate the lyrics of Southern metal peers. "They're rooted in punk and hardcore," Donaldson says. "So their lyrics reflect that. You don't typically see a band that sounds like them address socio-political concepts." Accordingly, the group lists every single word to every single song on its website.
Add a dose of punk's frayed edge (not to mention covers of songs by hardcore standards like Minor Threat and Born Against), and Thou may be in a sludge metal league of its own.
Thou and False with 440, presented by Drugged Conscience. Saturday, December 10. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. Doors open at 9 p.m. and cover costs $5. Call 305-757-1807 or visit churchillspub.com.
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