Review Pictures and Video: Ann Sunde
The Picturebooks – The Hi Hat – 6/7/17
The Picturebooks, a two piece band from Gütersloh, Germany, consisting of Philipp Mirtschink (drums) and Fynn Claus Grabke (vocals and guitar) kicked off their 2nd(?) US tour at The Hi Hat in Los Angeles. (By the way, the Hi Hat is a great place to see a band: spacious, comfortable, and a decent menu).
As for The Picturebooks, (whose newest album, “Home is a Heartache“, was just released in March) do not let the description “two piece band” fool you. Their sound is mighty and it rages! How can I categorize them? Terms like industrial strength mixed with some Quentin Tarantino come to mind. It has a southern humid, salty sweat feel. Although I’m not sure if that’s inspired more from their music or by Mirtschink’s methodical swinging and beating of his drums…breaking them apart more than once. Get him a water quick cuz he’s losing pounds of it as he plays.
Different? Yes. Good? Absolutely! They had a contemporary delivery but also sometimes reminiscent of Johnny Cash lyrics with messages concerning THAT kind of man…you know, outlaw-ish. As the song says, “…that’s how I’m livin’, zero fucks given.” These two remind me of modern day cowboys, building their own drumsets in their garage where they build their own motorcyles using discarded chains and mallets and bells and whistles (actually no whistles) to accessorize the percussion. The Picturebooks have a sound that makes me feel like I’m on my way to hell and diggin’ it…kinda outlaw-ish.
Related Links:
The Picturebooks – Official Site
