Thee Maximalists!
Of course I realize that I'm following an entry of live music pix with ANOTHER entry of live music pix, but what could I do, this was THEE MAXIMALISTS, dammit!
For the unaware, the core lineup qualifies Thee Maximalists as a veritable supergroup: Paul Sears (of The Muffins, drums), Yanni Papadopoulos (of Stinking Lizaveta, guitars & guitar-like appendages), and Keith Macksound (of Present, bass) concoct a truly un-rehearsed mash of ProgJazzNoiseRock that will overjoy the strong and reduce the weak to tears.
Saturday was their leaping, gnashing, vile debut upon the Old Town Theater stage. A fantastic performance (although not quite as 'gnashing' as their blast at Orion earlier this year, but then, that's improv for you). There is a larger incarnation of Thee Maximalists, which includes an improv vocalist and a mellotron player (!!!!!) so please tattoo this into your brain for future times: they don't play out often (members are scattered far & wide across this earth), but when they do... one must attend.
The headlining performer was one Cyndee-Lee Rule: an electric violin virtuoso who treated the Theater to a heady mix of TechnoProgSpaceRock, including a scorching cover of Hawkwind's "Hassan I Sahba" as well as an Irish reel that owed as much to stomping drum programming as it did to the Northern pubs. She joined Thee Maximalists briefly during the end of their set, and the chemistry was perfect (lads, consider this for future gigs).
In all, a charming evening, sadly under-attended like the Spaceseed gig. Where were you, my children? (for more pix, see the Flickr collection here.)
4 comments:
Man, where are the crowds? Some of the most awesome collections of musicians have somehow banded together and found their way to the land of lobbyists and rowhousing recently, only to play to sparse crowds. Show 'em you care! Adopt a bass player! Okay, at least fick a lighter or give a shout. One only hopes that this isn't a sign that Hillary Duff, The Click Five, and the multitudes of non-descript "artists" have replaced individuals and improv gatherings that truly test the magical sonic ranges of music. Are such creative individuals doomed to follow the plight of the fictional Spinal Tap -- playing in front of a smattering of fans, opening up for puppet shows?
Show them you care. Show them they matter. We don't see the likes of musicians like these too often in Geneva, Illinois. Appreciate what you have.
Have you, by chance, listened to any of The Mars Volta? I would be interested to hear your view on them, Hawkins.
Epota: good point -- local support is what it's all about. DC has had its ups & downs for small venues & places for "underground" performers. I just moved back after 14 years away and seems like it's on a big swell of goodness (no more DC Space, alas, but other places have stepped up). However, if there's no demand, the supply will dwindle...and freaks like me will wander in a daze...
Anonymous: I haven't heard The Mars Volta, but I keep running into that name. I'll definitely check 'em out and will report back. Good recommendations have taken my record collection into many a strange and unexpected place. Love the thrill of discovery.
anonymous: I have heard some of FRANCES THE MUTE and love it. It's on my wish list at the moment. I haven't heard DE-LOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM yet. I assume it to be equally as good from reviews.
hawkins: It's hard to detect any swell of goodness in the local area here, which is why I get frustrated when prog legends (or almost-legends) make appearances and end up under the radar. Very common in the 'burbs. And even the city (Chicago) has a tendency to bury the news about the arrival of bands like OTC, Porcupine Tree, and even Sleepytime Gorilla Museum recently. No print. No airwaves. No tickies. Much sadness. Sniff...
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