Editor’s Note: Blog contributor Miles Bennette-Eaton served as Just Out’s ear/eyewitness at last night’s Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show at the Wonder Ballroom. His account follows:

Hipsters, scenesters, and rockers alike gathered last night, all with the same thing on their minds: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. That’s right, the BRMC boys (and girl) graced Portland again with another fantastic, albeit somewhat subdued performance.

When thinking of Black Rebel — bassist/vocalist Robert Levon Been, guitarist/vocalist Peter Hayes, and new drummer Leah Shapiro — and their shoegaze-psychedelia-rock hybrid, one usually conjures up a flashy image of multicolored strobes, black leather, long hair and a deep soulful sound. While Black Rebel most assuredly delivered, much of their star power was lost to those farthest from the stage. Keep in mind BRMC isn’t known for galavanting about the stage twirling microphones and dry humping stage floors. Their allure comes from the feel and sound of the music itself, minus hokey theatrics.

The problem this time around was the venue. Much of BRMC’s darkly melodic, brooding sounds seemed to be swallowed up by the hallowed halls of the Wonder Ballroom — and unfortunately much of the energy from both band and crowd seemed to be sucked up right along with it.

That said, BRMC gave an outstanding performance. With new tunes (“Beat the Devil’s Tattoo,” the first single off of their new album of the same name, due out tomorrow) mixed in with some old favorites (“Ain’t No Easy Way,” “Mercy,” “Weapon of Choice,” “Berlin”), the boys’ gritty guitars, accompanied by Hayes’ haunting lyrics, really sold their reputation for knowing how to rock. They slowly built wave upon wave of gorgeous riffs and equally beautiful vocals, culminating in a dazzling rendition of “Open Invitation.” The pared-down finale left concertgoers with a fantastic night to remember.

Though some of their pizazz was stolen by the Wonder’s walls, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club proved why they sit at the top of the rock ‘n’ roll food chain of our time.

(Full disclosure alert: Bennette-Eaton is the boyfriend of Just Out Advertising Director Larry Lewis.)