Credit: Photo by Sandy Carson

The Black Heart Procession

Waterloo Park, Nov. 8

This wasn’t the right time or place to watch the Black Heart Procession. Guitarist Pall Jenkins and keyboardist Tobias Nathaniel looked uncomfortable with the sun in their eyes, and between the dust and noise from other stages, the day’s distractions neutralized the hypnotic power of the San Diegans’ songs. It didn’t help, either, that drummer Joe Plummer couldn’t make it. His substitute didn’t cut it, and without solid rhythmic backing, BHP’s groove and momentum foundered. The set wasn’t a total loss; “Your Church Is Red” and closer “It’s a Crime I Never Told You About the Diamonds in Your Eyes” were worth watching, though they didn’t capture the uncanny gloom that makes the group unique. Perhaps this is a band better experienced on disc. Or perhaps a simple club gig would do the trick. Nobody’s at their best when looking directly into the sun and competing with Killdozer.

This article appears in November 14 • 2008.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US