The California Bay Area has long been a treasure trove for the heavy underground. Fans of the scene can find a show any weekend, and often most weeknights that will satisfy ones appetite for doom, stoner, and heavy metal. In this post “The Covid Times”, the scene has only grown and I have witnessed an incredible amount of immersive concerts that have bolstered my love of the genre (I am using”heavy” as a general genre here).
Over the last couple of years, I have made the long drive to the Bay Area to catch some amazing heavy acts; Chrome Ghost, Conan, Russian Circles, Faetooth, Botch, KIM, Thra, Ghost Bath, and of course, Snakemother. Among these shows, I discovered Dread Spire, and they have absolutely captured my attention.
Dread Spire
Dread Spire is a bass and drums duo. These guys bring a heavy, doom powered dynamic to the stage that is a perfect mix of sludge and prog, believe it or not. Within the realms of Russian Circles, Alcest, and Old Horn Tooth, Dread Spire weaves instrumental stories for the listener that are both dark and joyful.
Richie (bass) and Erol (drums) have been friends for a goodly while, since 7th grade, actually. They finally got serious with their music during the Covid pandemic. The pair have done an amazing job collaborating on song writing and recording, especially considering they live about an hour away from each other. Their 2023 EP, Endless Empire, was noted on Clean and Sober Stoner’s “Top 100 Stoner/Doom Albums of 2023” list. They were later featured in my “California Screaming” article for Monster Riff.
I have seen these guys as many times as I could manage and have gotten to know them a bit. They are not only wickedly talented musicians, but they are also kind and thoughtful humans who show so much gratitude to their fans. Just before their big show with Snakemother, Mountaineer, and The Atomic Bomb Audition at Elbo Room in Jack London Square, they mailed out t-shirts as a thank you to a few of those who have supported them. I happened to get mine the day of the show, which was incredibly fun for me.
Check this live performance out. Notice Richie’s shirt?
Something that is so clearly visible with Dread Spire is that they are serious fans of the scene themselves and they are an active part of cultivating the growth of a thriving community. I have run in to them at concerts and gotten messages from them when they’ve run into people they recognize from my socials. Last year, I realized that Richie was all the way in Texas at Ripple Fest and I put him in contact with my good friend who was there at the same time. What are the odds? I don’t know, numbers freak me out. But that was quite a cool coincidence.
For me, as a musician, as a music connoisseur, and as a writer, I really live for the social connections that going to shows provides. Musicians like these two draw their audience in fantastic music. Then they endear themselves to people simply by being authentically fun, kind, and inclusive. You’ll see them wearing the same t-shirts you have in your closet (more on that in the interview), and you’ll catch them at your favorite shows. They will say hi, they will discuss the latest releases with you, and they will remember you at the next show.
Getting back to the sound that is Dread Spire, they were a little surprised when I said they have an element of prog in their product. Of course, they have a doom quality; otherwise they might not have grabbed my ear. Yes, they are definitely heavy and sludgy and a little “thrashy” at times. But they deliver wordless stories with each song that, while they include all those dark and brooding tones we love, they ultimately carry a sense of hopefulness and relief that we all crave. Dread Spire brings a silver lined doom storm that feels much like watching for lightening in a darkened downpour.
I am honored to know these guys and to share them with you all. Although I could go on and on in this review, I am going to wrap it up here and just encourage you to watch the upcoming interview. Dread Spire will make you smile with what they have to say and they will turn you into fans with what they play. My faith in bass & drum duos is renewed.
