Other brotherhood

For the past few years, people have known Eli Clark as the frontman of Viva Montesa, the rock two-piece with the three-piece sound. But starting this winter, Clark’s new project, The Other Brothers, is poising itself to be your new favorite band.

The Other Brothers play Gas Lamp, 1501 Grand Ave., on Friday, March 6 at 9 p.m.

“I kind of felt like I’d hit, not so much a creative wall, but I had so many ideas that were impossible to recreate in the two-piece,” Clark said of the formation of The Other Brothers.

Longtime Viva Montesa drummer Gary Schwick’s schedule did not allow for a heavier workload musically, so Clark started looking for a couple different members for the new outfit. He settled on former Nest of Snakes bassist Lorenz Inez, who then recommended local drummer Jason Kadiwhompus.

“I had a wish list,” Clark said of people to fill out the lineup. “The unfortunate thing around here is that everyone is in two or three bands. If I hadn’t played with (Inez), I wouldn’t have known him. I’d never met Jason before, and he’s a hell of a drummer.”

The band’s sound is a throwback to good, old fashioned three-chord blues and R&B. Clark’s guitars have a dirty, unpolished sound that pairs well with his howling vocals and harmonica. Pairing it all with the incredible low end provided by his mates creates something that is impossible not to be moved by.

Coming into the project, The Other Brothers were fueled in large part by Clark’s creative output. He is the kind of guy who is always writing, so he walked in with a large collection of songs and song fragments ready to pick from. From there, the three men tweaked and added personal touches to make the songs their own.

“We all kind of bring a lot to the table,” Clark explained. “But at least 10 of these songs were mine, that I just didn’t have the outlet for.”

“I don’t think there’s any ego,” he continued, explaining how the band seems to be firing on all cylinders from the get-go. “That’s kind of what’s held me back from trying this in the past. Those guys are willing to try anything, and that’s kind of fun. I guess the sky is the limit. I’ve got a band that can play the farmers market, or can play Seven Flags. It can open for Clutch, or it can open for The Nadas. Each show is proving that more and more.” CV