LUCIDMEDIA

Proud to be Punk Rockers – Brant Bjork and The Bro’s

Written by Lisa M. Knapp Thursday, 19 June 2008 04:12

From stoner to punk he plays it all and simply categorizes his style as rock.  Bjork mentioned “I think it’s just rock…Desert rock because that’s where the sound was born, in the desert.”  Proud of what he does, but certainly not walking around with pride, he simply is content with life; Bjork is just living the life of a rocker. 


A lover of any type of music in general, “jazz, reggae, metal, punk… I celebrate many different styles…” Bjork stated before his performance at the Casbah Lounge in Hamilton Ontario on June 12.  Punk Rock Guilt is his new album which he and his bro’s are promoting this tour and which in his words is a “tongue and cheek album.”  Having grown up into punk music and never understanding why someone would feel guilty growing up on punk rock, Bjork choose to show the world he is a proud punk rocker.  The new album is a celebration of punk, and why not, punk rock is one of the many roots of what started the rock and roll authenticity we know and love.  It has a cult following of its own so to speak, people adore it and make it part of their life not simply letting a album collect dust on a shelf, they immerse their lifestyle in punk.  If you are an old school fan, you are a proud one!

Brant Bjork and The Bro’s rocked the roof off of the Casbah lounge the other night, and although the patrons that showed were not as many as I would have expected, it made no difference to the way the band preformed. The vibe was high and the members of the audience were having a great time enjoying a few cold brews to cool off from the hot weather, and of course moving to the beat of rock and roll music.  Bjork and the Bro’s defiantly know how to perform, and when it comes to stage presence they do not lack at all in the area.  They know how to put on a show, were feeling the music at each and every moment, feeding off of the audiences’ enjoyment and just having a great time.  Simply put, the show could not have been better. These rock and rollers know how to have a good time, and that’s no understatement.  I had the opportunity to hang out and get to know them for a few hours before the show and for a bit afterwards.  When one thinks of rock and roll the first thing that pops into one’s mind is sex, drugs and rock and roll; just seems like it should be part of the whole rock notion. These guys just chill like normal people with a few drinks, lay back and basically enjoy every passing moment without missing a beat.  Bjork even mentioned at one point that he got tired quick when dealing with fighting offstage and band members that don’t get along, and I don’t blame him one bit!  I mean when you are on the road for an extended amount of time with the same group of people day by day, you just don’t have time or patience to have to deal with fights and pettiness.  As he explained the road, and the rock and roll lifestyle he put it into the best words possible, stating, “I want radness around me at all times;” I could not agree with him more.

Now most artists have some type of inspiration, something that drives them to do what they do, to keep them going so to speak.  Bjork is inspired by everything, “I am an artist before a musician… a desert artist… I live in the middle of the desert, and have had an average southern Californian upbringing.”  From the middle of the desert, Palm Desert California to be exact, this cool cat has enjoyed every moment of his existence.  “Whether it’s music, skating, drugs, whatever… all of it has inspired me in some way” mentioned Bjork.  Although he has been a rocker he defiantly does not feed off of the spotlight, “it’s part of the job,” Bjork stated, “I only do it when it’s necessary…when I have a story to tell, then I need the spotlight,” makes sense!  When it comes to the spotlight and people who like to be in it, we all know which people to pinpoint first and they just seem to like being on camera, but Bjork just does what he does because he gets asked or has something to say. 

After great conversation and a great show, it is clear that Bjork is a laid back simple man who is just out to live life while having a good time.  You know what they say, when you find the dream job that you love, you never feel like you are working a day of your life, and that’s exactly the type of person Bjork is.  Bjork and The Bro’s are touring around Canada for the remainder of June then they are off to Europe.  If you have the chance to check them out, don’t pass it up, you won’t regret it.