Brusher is more than just a Reno hardcore band. With a balance of unsettling, slow melodic creeps and blasting, dramatic fits of energetic punk, Brusher hones in on a heavy, evolving sound. Within the musical boundaries of one hardcore song (each less than three minutes long), the band taps into solemn shoegaze, bouncy beatdown, screamo, metal and more. Hear this malicious mix in person on Thursday, July 16, at the Holland Project, opening for I Promised the World, or Friday, July 31, at 4th Street Brewery/Coffee Bar, opening for SCALP. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/brusher775. Guitarist Eliot Lowe is the latest to answer The Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
The first band—I was like, “Holy shit, this is heavy as fuck”—was AC/DC. Shortly after my obsession started, my dad took me to see them. Shout out to my dad.
What was the first album you owned?
The first song my dad bought on our iTunes account was “Clarity” by Jimmy Eat World. I still listen to it regularly.
What bands are you listening to right now?
We’re about to play with Guilt at the Holland Project, and their EP stays in constant rotation. All the bands on that bill are incredible, and everyone should be there.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I don’t really get a lot of modern shoegaze. I like some dream pop and pedal-heavy bands, but there’s some slop out there right now.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Have Heart. Tenzin (Brusher’s vocalist) and I are going to see them in L.A. later this year.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I love some good 2000s mall emo/post-hardcore. Take This to Your Grave by Fall Out Boy is secretly a hardcore record, and I will stand on that.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Holland Project has been the most consistent and supportive spot since I started going to shows here. I’m so grateful to work there and call it my home venue. No one puts more effort into the scene than Holland.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Every rope has its end,” from “Devotion III” by Foundation. Top 5 hardcore song of all time.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Have Heart again. I heard Songs to Scream at the Sun years ago, and it got me further into hardcore and helped develop my ethos in life. Shoutout to the straight edge.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask Daryl Palumbo from Glassjaw how he makes any of those noises.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Nightswimming” by R.E.M. A beautiful song that fits the melancholic funeral vibe perfectly. Great outro music.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Unfortunately, The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me by Brand New. I’m bad at favorites, and there are many albums that compete for the top spot, but, damn, it’s so good. Maybe the best album art and title of all time, too.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Start Today” by Gorilla Biscuits. Complacency is a drug, and everyone needs to get sober.