Broke Royals
Byrdland Records, July 15, 2022
DC has an active community of bandleaders and songwriters who are also erudite commentators on music, among them, Philip Basnight, the songwriter and bandleader of
Broke Royals. I first became aware of Basnight as a commentator and critic who’s participated in some of the podcast discussions on music on the
Chunky Glasses website. He is a refreshing throwback, a thoughtful voice speaking out knowledgeably on classic rock and power pop influences from within an indie context.
Basnight’s growing ensemble Broke Royals, which now includes his wife Rebecca Silverstein on keyboards alongside longstanding members Colin Cross (drums), Taimir Gore (bass), and Ben Wilson (guitar) is not afraid to show its aspirations: shout-along choruses, hand-waving anthems, and energetic and punchy pop-rock songwriting. No shocker that Basnight’s stated influences include Springsteen, Petty, and probably also the Replacements and the Hold Steady (I could be guessing there).
All this musical grandeur notwithstanding, Broke Royals are still a pretty local band without much of a following outside the area, so it’s not a surprise that their newest record has been released by what is effectively a record store that created a label for the purpose. Of course, that makes it easy to arrange an in-store gig in front of an appreciative audience numbering well into the dozens.
Byrdland Records, associated with the nearby Songbyrd venue, put out
Local Support, the third Broke Royals album. Produced by local hotshot-in-the-making, Bartees Strange,
Local Support is described as a grittier, less pop-oriented production with more experimental touches than 2020’s
Saint Luxury, which was released to the band’s dismay right into the “cancel-everything” dark early days of the pandemic. That may be true, but Broke Royals are nothing if not a populist and accessible band, and everything that is easy to like about the band’s past material was present in the
Local Support record release party: energetic and empathetic choruses, hummable melodies, relatable lyrics, and back-to-the-roots rock energy.
Broke Royals were once an undeniably dapper band, handsomely attired in matching suits and well-coiffed on stage. They were a bit scruffier at the Byrdland release, playing down the debonair appearances with t-shirts and jeans, but still as charming and crowd-friendly as ever.
In the in-store gig, which was around a 45-minute spotlight, Basnight and ensemble focused on
Local Support with some tracks from
Saint Luxury. “Revivalism” is an instantly catchy garage rocker that could have been a Greg Kihn song by way of the Exploding Hearts; “Can’t Speak to That” steals a classic DC line demurring responsibility on a political matter to bring to an interpersonal relationship. The performance was a bit ragged, but the meat-and-potatoes sound was fleshed out nicely by Rebecca Silverstein’s background vocals and keyboards.
There is nothing revolutionary or really even innovative about Broke Royals. That said I’m happy that bands like this continue to exist, carrying forward a noble and honorable tradition of quality rock songwriting and performance. As their band website says, Broke Royals are “Premium rock & roll from Washington D.C.” And that’s just fine.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2022 08:36AM by zwirnm.
