Concert Review: Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears

Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears

Wednesday, 3-19-08

The Replay Lounge

By RICHARD GINTOWT

The measure of a good show isn’t how many people show up; it’s how many people stick around. Bryan Scary knocked ‘em upside the head last night with a balls-out glam rock set that inspired onlookers to shout “goddamn,” “oh my god” and (my personal favorite) “for the most part, I agree.”

Scary is a Brooklynite who composes over-the-top cinematic prog rock. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for that sort of stuff (Mark Mallman, Bobby Conn, the Darkness). There’s also a hearty dose of Frank Zappa in Scary’s world: story songs with oblique science-fiction narratives and strange characters.

Scary’s backing unit (the awesomely named Shredding Tears) is composed of four consummate players who wear matching zipper jumpsuits. Scary lived up to his stage name with blue eyeshadow and a furry tuft of chest hair. He also took a page out of Wayne Coyne’s book with a suitcase full of props including a space helmet, a painting of a song character and some giggly goggles.

More hairy Scary after the jump.