Concert Review: The Bellwether Syndicate 4/20/13

Back on April 20th as part of Convergence XIX (alt.net's large party of all things goth that travels from city to city every year for the last 19 years) in Austin, I had the pleasure of seeing The Bellwether Syndicate perform.

The Bellwether Syndicate. Left to right: Mike Skull (bass guitar), Scary Lady Sarah Rose (guitar, backing vocals), William Faith (vocals, guitar), Philly Peroxide (keyboards, percussion)

Many of you reading this have heard of William Faith. He has been an instrumental figure in much of the goth music scene having been part of Rozz Williams' Christian Death, Shadow project, Mephisto Walz, a one-off performance with the Sex Gang Children, and, of course, Faith and the Muse (that one seems fairly obvious). Faith returns with a new kickstarter project (literally) with Chicago's infamous DJ Scary Lady Sarah Rose, The Bellwether Syndicate.

Currently, the group have only released on their own Bellwether Underground label an EP of five songs entitled the Night Watch EP. Without turning this into a music review, I will go so far as to say the first three tracks on the EP are similar to each other, fast paced deathrock influenced tracks that are catchy as can be. The fourth track is very different, a bit slower, yet still impressive. The final track showcases both Sarah Rose's guitar work and vocals. It's also quite a bit different from the other four tracks, but demonstrates the immense talent the group brings to the table.

For the performance at Convergence XIX (which was apparently the third or fourth live performance for the group ever), the group began with track one from the new EP, "All Fire." Mind you, I was excited as could be for this performance because we're talking William Faith here. The way all four members took the stage was telling in of itself. They were humble. Smiles all around, ready to have a great time sharing their music with us. No air of arrogance like they were entitled to everything. Just good nature fun ready to take hold. Once they started into "All Fire," I was hooked. It was some small fortune that the dance floor was a bit packed, for if it hadn't been, I would have been the definition of "bat shit crazy."

Following "All Fire" came my favorite off the EP, "Night Watch." The song is just incredibly catchy. What I find so interesting in the manner with which Bellwether Syndicate performs is that the music and words give off plenty of energy. Playing guitar and singing, both William Faith and Sarah Rose are a little stuck with where they're at on the stage. Yet, you could tell both were incredibly into their performances. They wanted to be there. Philly Peroxide, while in the back, was still a strong force to be reckoned with (though similar to Faith and Rose, he was a bit stuck where he was while performing on the keyboards). Mike Skull was about the most mobile of the four, moving a few paces here and there while absolutely rocking out on the bass guitar. By this point I was fully sold.

A photo of Bellwether Syndicate roughly a week later at the Whitby Gothic Festival

"101 Go" was next, another solid and catchy song. From here, Faith took a moment to thank everyone for coming and for allowing Bellwether Syndicate to be part of C19. He then introduced the next song as one in the memory of a good friend and that we truly all are souls in isolation. That's right, a cover often done with Faith and the Muse, the Chameleon's "Soul in Isolation." Often, I am very critical of cover songs. Rarely do I find ones I enjoy. Even rarer are the ones that are just as good, and sometimes even better, than the original. This is an instance where I think the cover might just be a tiny bit better than the original and I personally love the Chameleons! Suffice to say, we all went a little bat shit crazy by this point.

The group finished their set with track four off the EP, "Translucent." Personally, I would have loved for the set to go on all night. Five songs simply was not enough. Once the group left the stage, I quickly snagged the one and only copy of the setlist with the hope of meeting the band members and getting it signed.

Allow me to say that William Faith is probably one of the nicest and most delightful people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. You saw all those bands I told you he was part of? Let's just say this man, much like Peter Murphy, is a gigantic name in the goth scene. He could be arrogant and rude and no one would think twice of it. Instead, he was very nice, glad I enjoyed the show, happy to be there, etc. He also happily signed my setlist.

Additionally, Scary Lady Sarah Rose is another wonderful person. She seemed almost confused as to why I'd want her autograph! After signing the setlist, we talked some about the show. I told her she did a fantastic job (which I thought she did, and she seemed so happy to be on stage!). She was then telling me how she was actually incredibly nervous and how this was about her third time ever to perform in front of an audience like this. She also mentioned how the fifth track on the EP was one where she sang and played guitar, but that they didn't play it that night since it's a bit hard to sing and play guitar at the same time. I was just amazed at how chill and honest she was about everything. I thanked her again and told her they should come back to Austin again soon.

All in all, five songs is an incredibly short set. But, to be that catchy and engaged in such a short period of time is a talent alone. And to play wonderful music, too!? That night I became a big fan of this new project and have since found myself getting more into Faith and the Muse. I really do hope they return to Austin soon with even more music to share. There is something truly special in this group and I'm very happy to have witnessed it during C19.


Rating: 5 of 5

More information: Official site of the Bellwether Syndicate