Deface the Currency, the new second collaborative album from the Messthetics and
James Brandon Lewis, grew out of a simple intuition. The group — with saxophonist
Lewis joining the core Messthetics lineup of Brendan Canty on drums, Joe Lally on bass
and Anthony Pirog on guitar — was on tour in the summer of 2025 when Canty knew it
was time to go back into the studio.
This configuration of the band had debuted on record the year prior, releasing an
acclaimed self-titled album via Impulse!, the legendary jazz label. But as the quartet
logged serious time on the road, the drummer felt their chemistry evolving, so he called
up engineer Don Godwin and booked a couple of days at Tonal Park in Takoma Park,
Maryland, where The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis was recorded.
Fri Apr 17 2026
8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)
$42.72
Ages 21+
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PDX Jazz Presents
THE MESSTHETICS + JAMES BRANDON LEWIS
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The Messthetics
Jazz-Rock
The Messthetics are an instrumental trio featuring Brendan Canty (drums), Joe Lally (bass), and Anthony Pirog (guitar).
Brendan Canty and Joe Lally were the rhythm section of the band Fugazi from its inception in 1987 to its period of hiatus in 2002. This is the first band they’ve had together since then. Anthony Pirog is a jazz and experimental guitarist based in Washington, D.C. One half of the duo Janel & Anthony, he has emerged as a primary figure in the city’s out-music community.
The trio’s debut includes nine songs recorded at Canty’s practice space throughout 2017, live and mostly without overdubs. It’s a snapshot of a band dedicated to the live ideal, where structure begets improvisation.
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James Brandon Lewis
Progressive Jazz
$42.72 Ages 21+
Deface the Currency, the new second collaborative album from the Messthetics and
James Brandon Lewis, grew out of a simple intuition. The group — with saxophonist
Lewis joining the core Messthetics lineup of Brendan Canty on drums, Joe Lally on bass
and Anthony Pirog on guitar — was on tour in the summer of 2025 when Canty knew it
was time to go back into the studio.
This configuration of the band had debuted on record the year prior, releasing an
acclaimed self-titled album via Impulse!, the legendary jazz label. But as the quartet
logged serious time on the road, the drummer felt their chemistry evolving, so he called
up engineer Don Godwin and booked a couple of days at Tonal Park in Takoma Park,
Maryland, where The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis was recorded.
James Brandon Lewis, grew out of a simple intuition. The group — with saxophonist
Lewis joining the core Messthetics lineup of Brendan Canty on drums, Joe Lally on bass
and Anthony Pirog on guitar — was on tour in the summer of 2025 when Canty knew it
was time to go back into the studio.
This configuration of the band had debuted on record the year prior, releasing an
acclaimed self-titled album via Impulse!, the legendary jazz label. But as the quartet
logged serious time on the road, the drummer felt their chemistry evolving, so he called
up engineer Don Godwin and booked a couple of days at Tonal Park in Takoma Park,
Maryland, where The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis was recorded.
Share With Friends