Torche

Last summer, when I interviewed guitarist Juan Montoya, co-founder of Florida underground-metal powerhouse Torche, he explained to me one of the differences between he and his bandmate (and friend of 15-plus years), singer-guitarist Steve Brooks: “Steve is the more realistic one in the band…and I’m the one that’s always like, ‘We’re gonna be the best! We’re gonna rock out! Let’s go to Japan by the end of the year!’ I make all these crazy goals and he’s like, ‘Dude, you’re a daydreamer…’” Apparently, realism has won out, because Montoya was asked to leave the band in late 2008 due to vague-but-ever-popular “personal and professional” reasons, reducing Torche to a trio (they have no plans to replace Montoya). Part of what made last year’s breakthrough album Meanderthal such an amazing, compelling listen was the collision of the pair’s disparate styles and influences – Brooks was into death metal like Entombed and Deicide, while Montoya brought to the band a love of My Bloody Valentine, Jawbox, and Cocteau Twins; they found common ground in the Melvins, whom Torche occasionally resembled both on the disc and live. How the band moves forward with Brooks firmly in charge is anyone’s guess, but tonight’s show should provide at least some answers.

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Sun., April 5, 7 p.m., 2009