May 1, 2000 12:00 PM, Blair Jackson

Call 'em a jam band, a groove band, whatever-moe. mostly plays really long (10- to 20-minute), highly rhythmic jams loaded with lots of lead guitar (by Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey), anchored by an excellent high-energy rhythm section (bassist Rob Dershak, drummer Vinnie Amico, percussionist Jim Loughlin). Their "songs" are usually just jumping-off points for extended improvisations that take the group into some very interesting terrain, ranging from skittering melodic romps influenced by African guitar-pop to harrowing metaloid conflagrations, with plenty in between. Schnier and Garvey keep the noodling purposeful for the most part and their jams always have an interesting arc to them. What they do over the course of the 23-plus minutes of "Timmy Tucker" is positively awe-inspiring. This live double-CD is a fine introduction to one of the more interesting groups out there right now, and sonically, it's a masterpiece. For adventurous ears.

Producers: John Siket and moe. Engineers: Bill Emmons, Andy Tori (two tracks) and John Siket (mixing). Recordings facilitated by Big Mo Recordings, Boulder Theatre Recordings, House of Blues L.A. Studio on Wheels, Bob Skye Mobile Recordings. Mastering: Fred Kevorkian/Absolute Audio (NYC).

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.