The minutes were rolling while I was strolling down the street to see Broomfiller on Oct. 25 at the Blues Café in Long Beach. It looked a little desolate from a distance, but then when I actually arrived, I realized it was a lonely night.
My name was not on the guest list, so I had to find someone affiliated with the band to get the situation straightened out. The guy who put my name on the list had glasses and looked like a bookworm. Little did I know that he was part of the band Broomfiller.
After getting situated, and, more importantly, hydrated, I walked over to the stage and met the bassist, Trip. “T-R-I-P,” he said. Trip described Broomfiller as having a “power-rock-punk” sound. He was excited about the band’s tour that will cover 20 different states to promote its new album, “Enter the Storm.” Trip also said that all of the members of the band were “born and raised in Canada.”
At around 9:15 p.m. the band went on stage and rocked a 40-minute set.
The songs had a sensitive feel to them during the verses, but the choruses and bridges were all hard rock. The first three or four songs were all continual, as in there was no sound break between them. I enjoyed that technical aspect of the early part of the set.
Another part of the set that was surprisingly original was when guitarist/singer/songwriter Richard Leko jumped off stage and played a solo while standing in the audience. Then while Leko tuned his guitar, he told the audience that the next song was called “Carosel.” Leko heard an audience member say something he did not like and replied, “Remember the time you shut the hell up?”
My favorite moment of the set was when the band played “Bed of Fire.”
Later, Broomfiller played the single “The Cause.” It was a good song, but did not have the effect “Bed of Fire” had on me.
The band dedicated a song called “Budget Nudist” to “all the stiffs and croons,” as Leko so delicately said. Broomfiller also played “Turn” and “Tell Me.” These last three songs had a different sound than the first seven or eight songs of the set. The band sounded a lot grungier, faster and even heavier.
I think the band cranked out a good, energy-filled set. The music was full with pauses, which are always good, and a ton of enthusiasm. The guitar was hard and it controlled the band’s sound, but the highly skilled drumming behind it was crucial to the band’s power and presence.
The bass was evenly heard playing along to the rhythm of the guitar, but it still had a few moments of shine and glory. The boys from Canada showed me that they are serious musicians and ready to play and tour around the United States.
When I finally sat down with Leko after the show, he had a lot to say about music, life and being on tour. I asked about the name Broomfiller.
“Broomfiller – it’s a long story,” Leko said. “Do you have 20 minutes?” We both laughed and continued the conversation. He said there is a whole explanation of the name’s origin in a “hidden link” on the band’s MySpace page.
Leko said the band is “active in getting new friends” on MySpace. “We don’t add just for numbers,” he said. “We personally message every friend.”
The music, which is all written by Leko, is inspired by “guitar rock, an exotic awesome sound.” He named The Cult, Face to Face and Mellon Collie as some of his favorite bands.
Leko said they were losing money on this tour. They do not mind though, because as Leko said, “We’re doing it for freedom, to be on the road, better than pushing a pen.” Then he smiled lightly and pointed to my pen and pad.
“If we ever get signed to a major label,” Leko said, “It is going to be on our terms. Listeners are forced to listen to bands the record labels pay, but do not know what a good song is.”
Leko had this to say about the small crowd. “I want to be here on a Wednesday to hear new people playing their hearts out and getting new fans.”
