The Thorns Of Life At Thrillhouse San Francisco CA.

Photos by Matt Eggers.

After playing a string of secret house shows in Brooklyn, Thorns of Life - the new band featuring Blake Schwarzenbach of Jawbreaker, Aaron Cometbus of Pinhead Gunpowder, and Daniela Sea from the Cypher in the Snow (and Showtime's "The L Word") - brought their speak-easy extravanganza to the Bay area, playing a full week of shows on the hush-hush. Some were less secret than others (last Monday's show at the Hemlock sold out about an hour before the doors opened) and last Thursday's show at Thrillhouse Records probably fell somewhere in the middle, filling up the small not-for-profit venue but not closing the doors on any unlucky fans. The sound definitely had more in common with Jawbreaker than Jets to Brazil - fast, sweaty, and familiar - and the set was short but just right. No plans to record yet, but maybe they're just keeping it all a secret. heart - dave