Last January (sheesh, was it that long ago?), on one of my first assignments for LocalCut, I saw Norfolk & Western headline a bill at the Doug Fir with Point Juncture, WA and Bark Hide and Horn. I had seen Norfolk before, but what I experienced that night was vastly different from what I remembered; gone where the ornate productions and large backing ensemble, replaced by a lean, stripped-down, and rocking three-piece. Ever since then I’ve been preaching the newly-rockified outfit to anyone I see—and now we have some video evidence to prove it. Thanks to the Hush Records blog, you can view N&W—with Chris Robley joining on guitar/bass/keys—play the most excellent “Border Oklahoma” and “The Opinion Song,” both of which are set for inclusion on the band’s new still untitled and forthcoming TBD release. I hear that the album is done, though, so hopefully we can expect something in early ‘09. I’ve always been a big proponent of Adam Selzer’s guitar playing, and “Border Oklahoma” really shows that he can shred with the best of ‘em.

The videos are from its show last week at Backspace with Portland’s own supergroup, Blue Giant, and while I was pretty bummed to miss the show before watching this I’m now downright annoyed. Note to self: Life exists outside the WW world headquarters.

Norfolk & Western - “Border Oklahoma” from HUSH Records on Vimeo.

Norfolk & Western - “The Opinion Song” from HUSH Records on Vimeo.

Norfolk & Western - “Hiding Home” from HUSH Records on Vimeo.

Links:
Norfolk & WesternSpace
Hush Records

Photo screencap taken from N&W’s show last week @ Backspace