|
| Concert Reviews
|
||||
|
The Muffins
Taking a cue from European bands such as Henry Cow, National Health and Magma, as well as other numerous influences, the Muffins sound is heavily rooted in jazz and relies heavily on improvisation and experimental energy. The classic lineup of the band is together, featuring: Paul Sears (Drums, Percussion), Dave Newhouse (Keyboards, Saxes), Tom Scott (Saxes, Flute, Clarinet) and Billy Swann (Bass, Guitar). The band took the stage a small bit after their scheduled start time of 8pm, and proceeded to assault the audience with their fiery and intense brand of jazzy RIO. Dave Newhouse doubled on keyboards and baritone and tenor sax, and even pulled out a harmonica for one song! The pieces with dual reeds provided a dynamic contrast to the more traditional keyboard included instrumentation. The band was extremely tight, and played off themselves wonderfully, with plenty of dueling reeds. Swann’s bass provided both solid backing and fuzzed out madness. Sears’ drumming was energetic and precise. I admit not being too familiar with the band before this night, only hearing Manna/Mirage a few times, as well as the MP3 from the ProgDay website, and was then not able to recognize any of the songs played. The material the band indicated as new was some of the strongest of the set. These guys have not a step in the time that they were away. I practically jumped out of my seat when the band ripped into “Nan True’s Hole” (off of Matching Mole’s Little Red Record), the one piece I did recognize. The set went by in a flash, and almost as soon as it had begun, it was over. The band weren’t able to play an encore due to strict time constraints of getting the next band on stage. This was by far one of the best performances I’ve seen this year, and greatly look foreword to seeing the band again at ProgDay in September. Also highly anticipated will be the band’s next studio album, Bandwidth, which is scheduled for completion by mid 2002. - Mike Prete [July 2001]
|
The
Muffins were one of the bands on the legendary American Random Radar
label in the late 70s and have remained one of the most well regarded
American avant-prog artists since their group hiatus in the early
80s. Reconvening in the late 90s, the band has played ‘reunion concerts’
sporadically over the past few years, including performances last
year at the Knit and a festival in Rome, which were recorded, and
will be released as Loveletter #1, a limited edition live album that
will be released at the band’s only other live performance this year,
the ProgDay festival in Chapel Hill, NC. 
