by Mark Lore
![BLESST CHEST Ridin’ killer riffs into a gorgeous sunset.]( "BLESST CHEST Ridin’ killer riffs into a gorgeous sunset.")
BLESST CHEST Ridin’ killer riffs into a gorgeous sunset.C. Collier
INSTRUMENTAL BANDS have a tendency to sometimes get wrapped up in themselves. This all has its place, of course, but it comes at the cost of losing some swagger and recklessness. Portland power trio Blesst Chest has one foot planted in prog-inspired instrumentalism, and the other kicking in the air with rock ’n’ roll abandon.
A recent performance at Bunk Bar with local krautrock band Møtrik was a perfectly boozy mix of disciplined twists and turns and loosey-goosey garage rock. I use the word “boozy” because that’s what I’m doing with the band pre-show during a good-timin’, tangent-loaded interview.
“We’re a fucking rock band—that’s what I think,” guitarist Jay Winebrenner says declaratively as we try and get to the bottom of Blesst Chest.