The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis / Janel Leppin’s <i>The Realist</i>

About

The Messthetics is an improvisational rock trio comprised of D.C.’s own six-string sorcerer, Anthony Pirog, and the rhythm section of the legendary Fugazi: bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty. D.C.’s punk and avant/improvisational worlds collide in the group’s compositions, which often alternate between screaming, snaking, turn-it-up-to-11 shredding and the more restrained, anvil-heaviness of some of Fugazi’s most iconic work. But the group channels that energy in a different way through its new formation with tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. The celebrated, New York-based musician stretches and wails the tone of the saxophone like few others as he skronks over tunes that push tonality and genre aside in favor of his own blend of post-post-bop freedom. The quartet performs at the Hamilton on Black Friday, becoming something of a new regular tradition for the scene. Janel Leppin opens with her The Realist project.