In a mission to be the loudest show to grace venues across the country, Better Lovers took their wall of sound to Arizona last week. The historic Nile Theater was shaking on its foundation throughout a night of some of the best in local and national hardcore.
Opening the show was up-and-coming Arizona group Deathdotgov. The newcomers are already building a name for themselves, combining the members’ collective musical experience with a fresh take on the genre that gets the mosh pits going every time. Vocalist Colton Westerman’s sneering visage belied an intensity that bled through in his screaming, while guitarist John Bacino shredded through every riff, backed by the steady heartbeat of Meghan Herring’s percussion. Their energy was a stellar way to kick off a night that would certainly have everyone’s ears ringing by the end of it.
As we came to the headlining performance of the evening, a steady stream of people filled the theater floor and promptly got pushed aside for the roiling mosh pit that never lulled. Better Lovers emerged to a mashup of various love songs before proceeding to rip the doors off the venue with the sheer force of their music. The band was formed only this year after the dissolution of Every Time I Die and the remaining members are carrying on a legacy in their own way with this project.
Singer Greg Puciato commanded the attention of his audience, getting right up in the faces of the front row, all of whom gladly mashed themselves against the stage for a chance to scream directly at the band. Though they don’t have much music available yet, the audience gave it their all for “Punk” and “Bucket Gate”- and the band even threw in a Soundgarden cover for good measure.
The decibel levels reached dangerous points by the closing number of “30 Under 13” and even featured a surprise appearance by Jim Louvau. Hundreds of sweaty, exhausted, probably hearing-damaged fans exited the room buzzing with the knowledge that they’d seen an incredible lineup all on the verge of huge things.
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Story and photos by Olivia Khiel
