Kentucky’s noise rock group, Young Widows, comes to Houston with openers Cherubs and Porcelain.
Houston noise rock fans gather at White Oak Music Hall on a Tuesday night to see Young Widow perform their new album, Power Sucker, front to back. The intimate show kicks off with Austin’s Porcelain, a band new to the scene but already establishing themselves as ones to watch within the genre.
Porcelain’s set begins like it always does, loud as hell. Aggressive guitars rip to life as crunchy basslines bulldoze the audience. Porcelain builds their signature wall of sound bigger and denser than ever as they play a set composed of both new and old songs. Their last song takes the chaos up a notch as they end with one of their biggest, loudest, and meanest breakdowns before stepping off the stage.
Not long after, legendary Austin noise rock group, Cherubs, take the stage. Having formed in the early 90s, Cherubs helped define the beloved genre’s sound. Cherubs made a point to celebrate their legacy through their performance, as they wasted no time at all getting into their first song. Cherub’s set was a masterclass in big, loud, noisy rock music. Abrasive, subversive, and grinding, each song ripped and roared through the venue as they made their way through their set. By the time they were finished the audience had seen something spectacular and special, real rock legends doing what they’ve done best for the last 30 years.
Finally, Young Widows takes the stage. The stage lights dimmed as each performer was individually lit with warm spot lights, adding to the intimacy between them and the audience. Young Widows has been releasing music since 2006, each album an amalgamation of post- punk, goth, and noise rock genres. Their newest album, Power Sucker, is the maturation of a near decade long career.
The Kentucky three piece filters their brooding, confrontational instrumentation through an atmospheric lens, sonically telling the story of where the band has been and where they have arrived. They play Power Sucker all the way through, drenching the audience in reverb-heavy noise and post-punk grooves. By the end of the set the whole story has been told, Young Widows exits the stage as the audience cheers, relishing in a night that honored the niche genres past, present, and future.
I’m a photographer born and raised in Houston. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was a teenager, I love attending local shows and supporting the Houston music scene. If I’m not at a show I’m probably making my own music, hanging out with my cat, or binge watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.
