Subject: Cosmic Groove


REVIEW: Wetlands, New York City, Thurs, Sept 7, 1995, CMJ Too
Pure Showcase + Friends 

[Bands: Long Fin Killie, Pram, Jessamine, Laika, Sea and Cake]
[Disclaimer, other than hearing Laika's album, I am very
unfamilar with any of these bands. I will not even attempt a set
list. Sorry.]

I arrived as the second band of the evening, Pram were setting
up. In the background was playing some wicked dub electronic wild
beats. Later I found out it was a DJ spinning, but just what I
don't know. Anyways, it helped set the atmosphere of the evening
- the groove.

Pram was a bunch of weirdos. Female singer, drummer a cheap trick
look alike, and the guitarist in a glittery shirt. Plenty of
other instruments and players on the stage. Previously I had only
heard good things about the band from newsgroups and mailing
lists. First the positives, an incredibly tight band, good
players, weird sounds. The result? The most serious fun band I've
heard in a long time! Their sound was just insane, crazyness from
all around. Very much an outer space type of vibe. They put on a
show which made me laugh and dance at the same time. From the
first chord, my smile did not leave until they left the
stage. What is even better was they were the cosmic
groovers. Really fun *AND* funny stuff. A GREAT live show - see
them if you get a chance and have a good laugh. It feels good.

Next the DJ spinning some more wicked dub/groove/electronics -
dunno, was this one of the Juggle DJs from the Monday night
party, Konkrete Jungle? Gotta find out as he was playing some
wicked stuff - funky and *hard*.

Jessamine was the band with no eyes. Pretty much the whole gig,
all the band memebers (that I could see) had their eyes
closed. Not horrible, as they were playing some lovely drone, but
still not very charismatic at the same time. They actually had a
great set - again, very groovey - out of this world bliss type
music. Drone, but punctuated by drums, etc. Loved that Moog
though - great sound quality.

DJ break again while equiptment was broken down and Laika's set up.
Also this time a graphical interlude - like the old blotter
projections. This looked weird against the wetlands mural of a
pond scene with crane and all.

Laika were also a very spacy type of rhymthic band. Sadly the set
was plagued by sound problems, vocals slowly becoming inaudible,
and instruments gradually disappearing from the mix. However, no
one in the audience let that bother them and those on-stage
started joking about it eventually. As CMJ is a media event,
flashes were going off like fireworks ever few mins. I never can
understand how musicians can not be bothered by the constant
picture taking at these shows! Very boucy, syth lead songs - with
rumba and similar keyboard beats leading live drums, hand-drums,
guitar and bass. Again, monster grooves which just cary you. Live
Laika was excellent. I was even more impressed as I haven't quite
gotten the hang of the album yet. Fun lead singer, elven like -
cute skull-cap.

Last up was Sea and Cake. To complete the evening, this was
anther groove heavy band. However, the vocals set me off, it was
getting late, I needed to go to work in the morning and things
were not clicking. They seemed like a fine band, but the out of
this world sound effects were missing and it just didn't seem to
fit. I'm sure their a wonderful band, and I'll probably make sure
to see them live again in the future. However, the night was over
by then.

Again, three really good live bands with a outer space type
groove. Don't miss this line-up if they are touring near you at all!