The Dead Ships at the Echo Photos and Show Review

My-oh-my, how much the Dead Ships have honed their chops since the last time we covered their show, opening up for the Duke Spirit at the Echoplex. They were great then, but the Dead Ships blew our minds this past Monday at the Echo as the best night of their residency (and I’m not just saying that because Grimy Goods presented). Full of energy, the trio sweated their hearts out as they gave us a fierce performance that involved some heavy punk riffs, psychedelic reverb and that classic garage-soul-rockin’ sound of theirs. Devlin has an enormous roar, the man belts out powerful vocals from deep down below, where last night’s beer still lays. Christopher is non-stop behind the drums, spewing out turbo bangs and cymbal crashes — he keeps the beats rolling and the vibe hot. Then we have Al working the stage with Devlin and owning that slick bass as though it were an extra appendage.

The Dead Ships kicked fucking ass; even Nick Valensi of the Strokes show up and was watching their performance from the bar. At one point, I think I felt Devlin’s sweat drip down on me from the stage. That’s how hard the Dead Ships hustle, they give it their all and the energy they radiate is absolutely intoxicating. It’s hard to get bodies moving at L.A. shows because most Angelinos are too worried about looking “cool” or are just too timid to let loose, however, bones were shaking at the Echo through out the Dead Ships entire performance.

Also on the evening’s bill were the Eastern Conference Champions (babes). As always, they put on a killer show; so much style and so much roar, they rock it and they do it well. The Reflections opened up the showcase with their rad tunes, another L.A. band coming in hot. Closing up the long evening were the Bixby Knolls and their record release performance for Near & Undear.

We have some great photos of all four bands. Check them all out below!

P.S. Don’t miss the Dead Ships FREE show next Monday, Dec. 17 at the Echoplex with Dengue Fever. It’s gonna go off.

Words: Sandra Burciaga

Photography: Monique Hernandez

The Dead Ships