The Bravery: Courage under fire

"We wrote and recorded this record without being in the spotlight, and it's not just because we're from New York that people like it. Interpol is a great band, and I think you would have a hard time finding someone who bought their record based on where they rest their heads."

That being said, they are in the thick of the "new wave rock punk whatever it is" wave, but most of the band members come from just rock or punk backgrounds musically. "I think the electronic stuff became easier to do when the equipment became cheaper; we only started fooling around with keyboards when we could afford them".

And in case you haven't heard, Brandon Flowers from The Killers basically thinks that The Bravery wouldn't be a band never mind have a record deal if it wasn't for them. "As far as The Killers go, if they're saying stuff like that, it's because they feel threatened by us. I've seen them a few times, and I find them quite boring actually - I think we are a much better band."

Both bands will be here in the next three months, so you can judge for yourself.

The Bravery play with Ash and Alaska at Studio Juste Pour Rire (2109 St-Laurent), tonight, April 14.

 
 

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My Playlist     SO...I'll admit, I jumped on the Bravery Bandwagon. I heard "An Honest Mistake" and I immediately loved them. In doing so, I saw their show @ AXIS in Boston, MA. It was probably one of the best concerts I have ever been to...and I don't go to many concerts. It was only until recently that I've learned of this battle between The Killers and The Bravery, and frankly, I'm kind of disappointed. Flowers is claiming that people are stealing their sound; how a lot have bands have jumped on their back to gain success. It's just ridiculous if you ask me. And the Bravery is fighting back, which is what I would do in their situation. How many different "unique" sounds can one produce??? It WILL get to the point were the sounds are so incredibly "unique" that music will just be really weird. I mean, ALL of these bands are posers, but it's not a bad thing. They are imitating the bands that I truly love (Joy Divisition/New Order/A Flock of Seagulls/The Smiths). We should look past these stupid differences and really look at the big picture...they are bringing back New Wave, a style in which is more exciting than many of the sappy styles today. And I don't think all of them sound the same. On my playlist, I have The Killers, The Bravery, and Franz Ferdinand; all in perfect musical harmony. I think that they all have the same general "sound", introducing synthesizers and what-not. But they all use these synthesizers in different ways, which makes all of their music extremely sweet. So I say we shut up about this entire thing, and let bands do what they got to do. If you don't like it, listen to something else.
Andrew Canto	{4 votes}	May 1st, 2005
The Killers vs. The Bravery     Ok lets do a the Killers/the Bravery battle Innovation: The Killers. The Bravery is plain and simple copy of new wave bands. I would not say that the Killers are copying new wave band they are the first to do so. Songwriting: The Killers. The Bravery's lyrics are more thoughtful. Still, the Bravery's songs are not catchy while The Killers can make very catchy songs. When you can't innovate you must make your songs catchy. Style: The Killers. Bravery are posers. The Killers also but they don't wear makeup. Overcommercialized hype: The Killers. The Killers somehow built their hype with the extremely catchy single Somebody Told Me. The Bravery was touring and everybody was talking about them before they even released their album. Live performance: The Bravery. I've seen both shows. First time was for Ambulance Ltd and second for Ash, I promise. The Killers made a very short (we're very tired excuse) and cold performance. The Bravery gave a performance a lot better than I expected and offered a long show for what they had to offer (I believe they played all songs of their first album). I almost enjoyed their music. Hometown: The Bravery. I've always preferred NY over LV. Name: No points. Both names make me want to puke. It reminds me when we were playing street hockey as children and had to choose a team name. Final Score: The Killers 4, The Bravery 2
Maxime Rousselle	{15 votes}	April 20th, 2005
Be cool.     Even assuming that Mr. Flowers was correct, and the Bravery were copy-cat "poseurs" (evidently we now steal from the french because it sounds cooler... we're such posers), it was still a COMPLETELY bitchy, annoying, little man thing for him to say. Seriously, graduate kindergarten, get your own personality, and then just let it be. Peace. Brandon's comment really disappointed me, I was really into the Killers. Now they are just one of those jerk bands who might make good music, but who you'd never want to hang out with... and that sucks. And ditto on the Bravery for responding in kind. Sure, they were provoked, but they should be big enough to know that grown-up bands don't need to resort to cheap shots and insults to make music. And besides slamming the music, they attacked Brandon's personality... If you ask me, they all suck. What a shame... Grow up, people.
Steph Kent		May 24th, 2005
Sounds Familiar     Lately, I've been told by a lot of people that they think that Brandon Flowers is wrong about the fact that The Bravery is just a rip off of his own band: The Killers. A lot of people are saying that Brandon Flowers should just bequiet and go back to creating some new 'Killers' material. However, on this one I must say that I am on Flowers side and believe that his comments are extremely true. When you listen to Franz Ferdinand, you know that you're listening to Franz Ferdinand as they have a specific sound and all of their 'brit-rock' material ends up having a certain edge to it. If you listen to 'The Killers' you'll also realize that even though they are also 'brit-rock' they have a specific sound. The same happens if you listen to Kasabian as they have a specific sound. However, when you listen to The Bravery, you just see that they're music sounds like Franz Ferdinand and like The Killers. Basically, the stuff that they're creating is not fresh and is not original. Instead, they're just taking stuff which made 'The Killers' and 'Franz Ferdinand' famous and using that to make themselves famous. They truly haven't brought anything new to the genre so for that, I have to agree with Flowers. The Bravery should start thinking about a unique sound for the next album.
Patricia Stevenson	{46 votes}	April 16th, 2005
~rants & raves~     Look, I won't bullshit you, I don't care enough about either of these bands to give a toss regarding this little pissing contest. Sorry but to me they, "The Killers" and "The Bravery", are both more than adequate bands that have yet to truly make their mark on the business. Yes, some good buzz and a nice sound are great and all but I could list off a series of acts that thought that they were all that but then swiftly slipped off into oblivion. Personally, I'd be much happier if they'd just both shut up and play because ultimately we're the ones that are going to decide who's hot and who's the next "Right Said Fred".
Pedro Eggers	{36 votes}	April 15th, 2005
What Killers?     Last night I saw the Bravery with Ash and Alaska at the Studio and was befuddled by the hommages and inherent references in their music and style. Firstly, they are not a Killers rip off band, let's get that straight. What they are though is heavily borrowing from New Order/Joy Division sounds, vocal a la Julian Casablancas of the Strokes at times, splash in some Interpol and for good measure a little Death Cult circa 1981-82. I know that a while. They were tight and well received don't get me wrong. The music was at times anthemic and pulsating but lacked originality. They are doing what a lot of bands seem to be doing nowadays, recycling late 70s to mid 80s music. It's not that it's bad or blantantly obvious (because they blend quite a bit of together) but it's that they seem to be re-inventing the wheel. I guess to me it appears they're taking themselves too seriously. Secondly, the style they seem to be going for is one of Flock of Seagulls look with hard rock edge. Cool but a little poseurish. Kinda like the ex-singer of Creed taking himself way too seriously. It's a little embarassing. Anyway, I dug the show. First time seeing Ash and felt a little wierd that they had to go on before. They're practically verterans compared to the Bravery (who formed a little over a year ago) and showed good form. Great hookks and melody. Openers were Alaska who were impressive for a 3 piece. Great drumming a la Meg White and singer reminding me of Omar Rodriguez frantically man handling his guitar to no end. Good show.
Angelo Vernucci	{36 votes}	April 15th, 2005
Fearless!     The Killers' Brandon Flowers can take a hike for all I care! One album and two hit singles doesn't make you king of the crop (maybe a king of crap). First Flowers takes a stab at Montreal locals The Stills and now the Bravery... The Bravery has released a fine album that might have the flavour of the month tag attached to it but it's a great listen. "An Honest Mistake" is so far the best song to hit the music industry this year as it reminds us of early New Order material. It even got me to purchase a ticket for tonight's show in support for another fine pop-punk act in Ash. All I know is that it sounds great and it's fun. BTW, I am hoping you purchased your Killers ticket for their June 1st show at the Metropolis cuz it's already SOLD OUT so I guess you'll have to check out The Bravery / ASH tonite instead.
Ronny Pangia	{25 votes}	April 14th, 2005
Cool     The Bravery is one of the "new spring's sensation". It's a good band, not "fresh" by the sound, but it's easy to appreciate. It's a mix between the strokes, david bowie, some kind of new wave and some kind of old rock. I like it, the Bravery desserves our attention.
Yohane Cassabois	{3 votes}	April 24th, 2005

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