SASH INTO PIECES LIVE AT TOAD'S PLACE IN NEW HAVEN
By Kat Gullage
Break into pieces brings their “Manifest” tour to Toad's Place in New Haven with Versus Me in direct support.
One of the stand out bands, for me, at last year's Capulet Fest was Versus Me from Wisconsin. I saw they were going to play at Toad's and wanted to check them out again, somewhere other than a race car garage. (Capulet Fest was located at Thompson Motor Speedway). I asked my amazingly talented photographer, Holly Roy Photography, to work the concert with me. He agreed and asked who the headliner was. I told her that a Swedish band called Break into pieces and sent her one of their videos. Not the rock/metalcore sound we usually cover, but I dug it. Plus the drummer had this light up mask that I thought would make for interesting photos.
Versus Me are the Milbrandt brothers, James on vocals and Lee on guitars, Dustin Hansen on guitars and JJ Johnson on drums. There were maybe a hundred people in attendance as it was the official start of summer which is Memorial Day weekend. The band has two albums and several singles under their belt. Their tight six-song set kicked off with a 2021 single, “Control.” Each member of the band had a red light armband. The melodic vocals were a bit lost in the sound, but the growls came through. They brought an infectious energy though the crowd and followed it up with their 2023 single 'Blackout'.
Photos by Holly Roy Photography
James announces that “this song is called 'Down,'” (another 2021 single). I could hear the vocals better, so they must have figured it out. A pre-recorded track was used and it wasn't needed at all. James asks “who doesn't we has he seen before?' Everyone but Holly and I raised their hands. “Who's heard of us before?” Two hands went up. “All we ask is that you bang your heads, have fun and jump along.” Which I totally did for “Far Behind”. Continuous. I also started yelling “Hello Wisconsin!” (you know, from that 70s show) between songs, but the joke didn't happen.
They exude the same energy that made me pay attention to Capulet. “Alright everybody, let's go fucking now, to this chorus, bang your fucking heads!” The first rows of people do, that is, seventy-five percent of the crowd. And yours truly was out there, jumping and jumping. They serve up their 2020 single “Violence”. “Who is it here for? Break into pieces?” There's one week until the tours end and we're having the best time ever.”
The sound is on point as the set closes with 2022's single “Terrified”. “You guys are awesome! Thank you for supporting live music!” Versus Me stood out for me during a two day festival that featured forty bands. Their synchronized energy and musicality is a recipe for success. Add them to your playlist.
I met Lee afterwards and tried out the Wisconsin accent I had been practicing. “Hiya I'm Key-at (Kat). I noticed you on Cay-app-u-let. So, how did you like playing the legendary Tow-ids? (toads)?' He laughed politely. He told him his band was the reason we were there. He claimed they had never heard of it either Break into pieces before the tour, but were excited to be invited on it. I asked if the light armbands were added for this tour and he said no, they just don't use them during daytime shows like Capulet.
I told him the vocals were lost at the beginning of their set and he said they used the venue's sound crew because there just wasn't enough room to add someone else like a sane person on the road. When I asked what he thought of the venue and the crowd, he said “We've played to much bigger crowds that were lame and not moving, but this crowd was in and that makes it that much better.” Support live music, because our fans matter.
The “crowd” was a little full for Sweden Break into pieces. Many people I spoke to said they were there because their friend loved the band. The quartet consists of multi-titled singer Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, Per Bergquist – rhythm guitar, Benjamin Jennebo – lead guitar and The Apocalypse DJ (Apoc) – Drums. Apoc's identity remains anonymous, he was dressed in a cloak, a mask covered his face and had SIP logo illuminated on it. I'm not clear on the superhero type story surrounding him, but it's there. But there is no bassist.
They have nine studio albums and used five of them for their twenty songs. They started it with Ghost code“Flow”, Arcadiaof “Wake Up” and A new horizon“Glow in the Dark”. I would describe their sound as maybe an electronic rock version of Nickelback with more massive riffs. Made me want some fucking groove, I'll tell ya! Back to Arcadia for an audience favorite, “Big Bang”, Rise & Shine's “Let Me Be Your Superhero”, the title track “Arcadia” and another track with “All Eyes On You”.
I take notes on my phone during the concert for my reviews. I was pretty close to the stage and twice when I looked up from my phone, I swear Benjamin Jennabo's denim balls were right in my personal space. I definitely got the hint, I stopped taking notes (LOL).
They were followed by two of Ghost code, “Trigger” and “Out of Here”. Apoc the drummer dropped a SIP hat to the crowd and lead singer Chris AHS threw in an ugly towel. Pieces of A new horizon “Shaking away from home” and Rise & Shine with “Higher” are served. Chris: “Are you guys having a good time out there? Me too! Thank you so much!” The fans fell silent for a moment A new horizon“Broken Parts”, but the sound was clear and the vocals were bent on this tune. Chris: “Thank you so much! Jesus, that's a really hard song!”
Photos by Holly Roy Photography
Back to Ghost code for 'Venom' and Disconnect for “Deadman,” which made fans jump again. Chris: “This is the best music, am I right? I am right? That's why I want you all to pick up your phones and turn on those flashlights now!” He does and holds up his phone. “I want to see you, I want to feel you, I want you to show me your power in New Haven! Are you ready to jump with us?' This introduction leads to “Venom” off of Ghost code. About 65% of fans did a little phone flash, but then went back to jumping and dancing (no mosh pits).
The party continues with Arcadia“Forever Alone”. Suddenly it's just Chris and his little one in the spotlight, alone. “One day we're going to sell this place out. If you know the words to this next song, feel free to sing along.” Some female fans are yelling up front “we love you, take your fucking shirt off, take your fucking shirt off” Chris acts like he will and then says “Maybe later”. Undaunted, he immediately does a solo cover of Tears For Fears' 'Mad World'. I had forgotten about this song! I usually hate covers, but he gave a great performance that I really appreciated. They wrapped up the main set with 'Heroes Are Calling' from Ghost codebut not for long as the venue was once again double booked and this show was immediately followed by a glitter dance party.
The fans deserving encore kicked off with their 2017 single “Boomerang” and we were alive again. Chris: “I just want to say that each of you has the power to change your life. Be a positive force in this world and the breasts (others) will follow. Life is hard and even though our lives sometimes feel like we are six feet under, fight the good fight and be positive and everything will be alright. We are Break into pieces and that's our last song for tonight You know that!” Enter the closest “Six Feet Under” from Ghost code. Chris: “We're on a plane for eight hours from Sweden and we didn't know what to expect from Displace, and you know people come to the shows, so it's really cool.” Fair applause from the fans. “Give us 5 or 10 minutes, we'll be in business. We are Break into pieces and we love you very much thank you very much!”
Ah, remember those days? When could you meet the band in the trade? And not pay a billion dollars for a quick meet and greet? Chris and Benjamin stayed and met every fan that was waiting, took pictures, signed things, took some time to chat. They were welcoming, funny and grateful. Ok, so my metalhead friends weren't interested in going to the show, but if you want to have fun, rock but not mosh, listen to really good music and get your groove on, check out Sweden's Break into pieces.
Thank you loyal rockers and readers! The summer concert season is just heating up so stay tuned for more live music experiences!
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