Anyone know these groups?
 

I was doing some research here and there on the web and was wondering if anyone has albums by any of these artists. If so, what do you think of them?

Kazumi Watanabe
Los Straitjackets
Nexus
Pelican
Red Sparowes
Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet
The Mercury Program
Tribal Tech

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

Nexus from Argentina, 'spas? I have "Metanoia" and I contributed a copy to the moon some time ago. The track "En Las Manos De Dios/In The Hands Of God" has played often on AM. Good stuff! They performed at one of the early NEARfests too.

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

Kazumi Watanabe has been active since the early 70's. His early records were shredders, but if you like your fusion, he's the MAN. He has two records in the late 80's called "the Spice of Life" and "The Spice of Life Too". I have them both, and they should be on the Moon (if they're not). I'll get them up if they're not.

Both records have Kazumi with Bill Bruford and Jeff Berlin....the second adds peter Vettesse in keys (from the early 80's Tull). Now THAT's a lineup! Great stuff. Of late, he's more and more jazz. I also have "Mo Bop", which I played once on the show. It's awesome.

My friend from high school who lives in Japan has interviewed him, and says he's the nicest man he's ever met. One time when I saw Bill Bruford's Earthworks, we saw bruford unloading his bus hours before the show. Someone asked him "How's ol Kazumi Watanabe doing" :)

Nexus is proggy, but they sound a lot like Rush. Power keys and heavily guitared with a sexy female lead singer. My sister has Metanoia (second record). They were band one on day two of Nearfest. The program says they opened up for IQ in Buenos Aires. Not sure what they're up to now.

Tribal tech is Scott McGill, Vic Stevens, and I think Michael Manring. Fusion shredding type of stuff.

Others I'm not familiar with.

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

Pelican is the only band from the list I'm familiar with. It's a great metal band, seriously one of my favorite. Great sound, great ideas, great execution. Pretty much every album ranges from excellent to AWESOME!

Well, that's only my opinion of course. :)

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

Must not be the same Nexus, because that list is from a Wikipedia listing of instrumental rock bands. I'm most interested in Pelican and The Mercury Program. Tribal Tech seemed interesting too to read about.

This isn't suggestion territory yet, but do you think these folks are good for AM?

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

Watanabe is Moon material. I'll have some for Jim to review soon. I really thouight Mo Bop was on the Moon, but it appears not.

Tribal Tech is played on the Gagliarchives a lot.

Nexus is already on the Moon.

As for Pelican, start a thread Hawk, Spaz. Management likes separate threads....

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

I'm pretty sure I've heard Los Straitjackets, and IIRC they do surf instrumentals. I seem to remember a Christmas album that sounded like fun.

Re: Anyone know these groups?
 

Moses is exactly right on Los Straitjackets, surf instrumentals. Some crazy stuff, I've thought about throwing some on the Moon.

Tribal Tech is Scott Henderson/Gary Willis, and I think they rotate guests. Good shredding fusion, with some nice arrangements.

Rick was right on with his comments on K. Watanabe.

The rest - I dunno.