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Big Sky Regional Report
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Edited by David
Shulman
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Sky Regional Report - Feb, 2001
Although the weather is still a tad cold in the region, the show schedule is
heating up!!!! Check out some of the great acts hitting the stages around
the region (see below). A continued thanks to James Mullins for supplying
this list...and not minding my use of it for this report.
Also a thanks to those that have posted reviews to moheads.com and haven't
minded my inclusion of them here as well. The time you have taken to share
your thoughts and feelings about the shows is most appreciated.
Another for assistance.....if you are affiliated with a band that plays in
the region, please feel free to send some info to
bigsky@jambands.com for inclusion in future issues. The
information could include general band information, schedules, band
updates.......basically any information at all you would like to
communicate.
Have a wonderful February!!!
Upcoming Region Shows
Every Monday College Night @ Cicero's Cicero's
Region Reviews
Freekbass @ Cicero's -- 2.3.2001
As I walked into Cicero's, I had no idea what to expect. Being the club's
booking person gives me an awkward edge on knowing about some of these
"unknown bands". Unlike many Nationally touring bands, Freekbass has one of
the most obscure bio's I've ever seen. It's really say's nothing about what
the band is all about. James Mullins can probably back me up on that point.
He received their press kit too. What caught my attention was the name
Bootsy
Collins. Bootsy is managing and producing Freekbass, so I figure it had to
be
GOOD funk. But again, like you the fan, I had no idea what I was going to
get
to Cicero's about 7:30pm as usual, just to see if everything is set up and
ready to go. As I walk in, this tall lanky man with bright pink hair greets
me. He introduces himself as Chris, "but sometimes they call me Freekbass".
Oh my god, I thought&what did I get myself into. 9:45 rolls around and
Getaway Car hits the stage. I must say they are a much better band than they
were 6 months back. Very tight and sounding gelled as musicians. If you
haven't seen Getaway lately, give them a shot. They are very worthy to a
Mohead's pallet. Getaway tears it up for a little over an hour. The
anticipation builds&what's up with this Freekbass band? 11:15, the lights go
out&yes out!!! Dark!!!! Nobody informed me that Freekbass brought all there
own lights. Good idea, because ours lack that extra pizzazz. Drum machine
sample kicks in and an orange fog starts to envelope the stage. All of a
sudden these strobes hit, like a warehouse rave. The crowd has started
wondering what's going on &then the band hits the stage. The first bass note
rings out like a cannon. This was the first time not only did I hear the
bass; I could feel it and see it!!!! This is so irregular that Cicero's gets
this much bass response from its system. Well, besides that time I blew all
the subwoofers during a DJ show, but that's another story. Freekbass just
started jamming big time. Very reminisce of some old P-Funk. Actually the
first band that came to mind was Graham Central Station-if you ever seen
them
(opened for Prince on the 99 tour). One song into another for 85 straight
minutes, damn I was getting tired. Great song selections and everything
worked out to a "t". Mixing everything from old school funk to hip-hop and
even some familiar songs like Red Hot (Mama) and Fame (yes, Lennon and
Bowie). Once it was over, all the sweaty bodies filed out of the room
looking
for beds. A lot of worn out souls. Hats off to Dave for running sound. He
pulled off one of the best sounding shows in Cicero's history. Would have
been a great night for everyone's taping gear. I listened to my copy when I
got home and wow it's great. For those of you at the show, let me know what
you think. I would love to get Freekbass back and if I do, you gotta come
down and check these guys out.
Jay Mumma
SnoCore Lake Trout/Claypool/Galactic 1.30.2001
Didn't know quite what to think of Lake Trout. Reminded me a bit of DJ Logic
meets Drums and Tuba. Frog Brigade blew me away -- loved it. Great bass
work,
the pig mask was a nice touch. Galactic -- fine, fine work here. They came
out with the typical, warningless intro -- went into some great, fine
renditions of some great stuff, including a special 20 minute "Beatle Bob"
jam. Man, that guy's something else. Danced my ass off, while most of the
people stayed seated -- what's up with that? Had a great evening hanging out
with some of the great folks from MoHeads and beyond... On the way home, an
IL State Trooper nailed me going 79 in a 50 near I64 by ESL. Nice solid $95
fine, perhaps some court supervision on driving. Quite wonderful. Joe
Shambro -- I've been thinking about that sno-core show non-stop.
What a weird experience. I thought Frog Brigade was absolutely amazing.
after
listening to my recording a few times, I guess it does leave a little to be
desired in the way of complex composition, but I really thought the
heavy-edge made up for that (jambands need more metal for my
ears),
and the light show I thought was killer. And skerik IS A GOD.
Dylan
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