Seismic Review: Drew Grow and The Pastors Wives at Columbia City Theater.

Written By: Jonathon Olken

During any given concert, there’s always at least one moment, usually several moments if the band is genuinely amazing, that truly captures the essence of the performance. It’s these moments that stay with you, sometimes for days, sometimes for months, and sometimes for your entire life. Drew Grow & The Pastors’ Wives gave us several of these moments at their recent concert at the Columbia City Theater, but there was one moment in particular that has haunted me for the past week and half that I just can’t let go of.

Following a soulful version of “Friendly Fire,” The Pastors’ Wives (Seth, Jeremiah, and Kris) left the stage leaving Drew Grow alone with his guitar. The crowd went deadly silent as Drew launched into a heart-wrenching version of “Premonition.” The song started out calmly, but Drew was soon screaming the lyrics into the microphone from a yard back before completely eschewing the microphone and singing directly to the audience. We all stood there transfixed as Drew poured his heart out about wanting a girl that he can’t have. As the song was reaching its crescendo, an eerie chorus started to fill the theater. It was The Pastors’ Wives, who had lined up along the side of the stage, singing along without microphones. It was an awe-inspiring moment. Everyone in the room was a little teary eyed and weak in the knees as the song was ending. And when Drew finally finished the song, he was greeted with boisterous applause.It’s these types of moments that stay with you, but it wasn’t the only stand out moment from the show. There were also special guest appearances by local artists Kelli Schaefer, singing, and Shenandoah Davis, on the accordion, for the songs “Hook” and “Company.” And who can forget Jeremiah, the drummer, bouncing through the crowd with a tambourine before joining the rest of the band on stage to help belt out the lyrics, with help from the audience, for the set closer “It All Comes Right.”

Needless to say, Drew Grow & The Pastors’ Wives are a force to be reckoned with. Their genre-bending songs have been gaining a lot of momentum in the press recently, and it’s for good reason. They are for real. Go out and buy their newly released record. See them next time they come to Seattle. If you’re feeling a road trip, go down to Portland this Friday night and see them at Mississippi Studios. You will not regret it