Hectic Watermelon et tre alia

[progdirjim(Admin)]

See the concert news posting on main page.

Last night, I attended a 4 act show at Brick by Brick, a local original music venue just a few miles from my house. Kind of a dive bar. http://www.brickbybrick.com/

First act was Agent 22, which is Tom Griesgraber on stick, and the drummer from act 2. If you've read any of my previous reviews of Tom, you know I think he's one of the top stickists on the planet, and I've seen most of the famous ones. He did not disappoint - a nice 50 minute performance of composed pieces (we have 2 of his CDs on the Moon) and some improv. I'd only seen him solo before, and playing with a quality drummer added some impact to his sound.

Second act was Hectic Watermelon. A trio: guitar, bass, drums. All instrumental, and ridiculously talented and diverse. Mostly played originals, but a nearly spot on cover of Eric Johnson's "Trademark" and the Dregs' "Cruise Control" will give you an idea of the guitarist's versatility. The guitarist is clearly the band's leader, though the bassist is awesome, and the drummer blew me away. Influences would include Dregs, Zappa, and the best of the jam bands - Phish and Umphrey's Mcgee, say. Complex music, with a sense of both awe (my god these guys are good) and fun (and they enjoy playing). For the last song (Cruise Control), Mark Wood (act 3) joined them and demonstrated his ridiculous violin playing skill.

Third act was Mark Wood, with his approx 12 yr son on electronic drum kit. Mark plays in Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and is the inventor of the 7 string electric violin, the viper. He samples his violin, similar to frippertronics or certain stick players, so can produce a very full sound. He has lots of effects, so his violin can sound like a violin, an electric guitar, a synth, and most anything you can imagine. He used a variety of techniques that were beyond what this junior high school first chair cellist has ever seen. Very impressive, nice guy, and his son was surprisingly sophisticated and varied on the drum kit - good chops, but could hang back and be very tasteful. Mid set he brought on a classical violinist, who plays in some orchestra, I didn't catch which. OH MY GOD! She played a Paganini Caprice solo - I have NEVER seen such virtuosity on violin, including Ponty... She also teaches music history, and was fascinating talking about Paganini and the history of her violin, which originally was presented to a player in the ?17 or 18? hundreds by Brahams. Yes, that Brahams, how cool is that? Final number was Mark and his son doing Black Dog and Kashmir from Led Zep on violin and drums. Killer!

Last act, Maldonado. A modern flamenco hybrid act - drums, percussion, two flamenco guitars and a violinist. Awesome talent! David Maldonado is the better of the 2 guitarists, and band leader, The 2nd guitarist was excellent, so you get the idea. The violin player was incredible, but on this night was probably the third best !! The drummer had a cool set up - traditional bass drum, snare and cymbals, but the rest of the kit was bongos, timbales and congas, all played with sticks. I've never seen anything like it.

The odd notes - ran into my now good friend Warren Dale - keyboard and windwood player extraordinaire formerly of French TV, and hung out for awhile with a woman violinist who looked EXACTLY like Joni Mithcell in say, the 80's.

Fun night, great show...

[peri]

Jim, thanks for this detailed description of what seems to have been a near magical night for you, in spite of the quality of the venue.

[teermin8r]

I have the Hectic Watermelon's cd and it is awesome. I wish I could have seen them Jim as they seem like a great band. You need a donation?

[jtmckinley]

Wow Jim, sounds like one o' them magical nights! Thanks for the review!

[KingRat]

Jim,

Thanks. I now look like Island, 1001 shades of green.

I caught Magna Carta on their farewell tour. Only the 3, Chris, Linda Simpson and Matt Barnhoorn (ex Fairport Convention) on electric violin.

Damn, I am still green.