The Messthetics

United States James Brandon Lewis: Tenor Saxophone / Anthony Pirog: Guitar / Joe Lally: Bass / Brendan Canty: Drums The collaboration between The Messthetics—a trio formed by Fugazi’s legendary post-punk rhythm section—and guitarist Anthony Pirog— and James Brandon Lewis—named Tenor Saxophonist of the Year for 2025 by DownBeat—was bound to be electrifying! Driven by an exhilarating live energy, the quartet delivers an organic sound where the power of post-hardcore meets the soaring heights of free jazz and Great Black Music. With abrasive riffs, hypnotic grooves, spiritual lyricism, and collective outbursts, this free-form music draws as much from the legacy of John Coltrane and Albert Ayler as it does from Washington’s post-hardcore scene.