Sgt. Dunbar and The Hobo Banned packed the house and the stage with eight musicians and every imaginable brass and string instrument. I love the Hobos and have seen them several times. Their instruments were in full force featuring many songs off their new EP. They played the title track, "A March Through Charles Mingus' Garbage Pile," which featured a vibrant mix of Folk and Jazz, a direction they are forging ahead with. The two new songs they debuted forecast a vital and original direction.
The musicianship is something to behold they have become a much tighter entity without losing their energy and heart, displaying the joy of playing together. What is also fascinating is the seamless exchange of instruments throughout the set. Whether blowing, singing, or strumming, everything works. This is a democratic collective where various members share the lead vocal helm adding diversity to the mix.
Sgt. Dunbar and The Hobo Banned were full of bite. All the instruments and vocals united and filled the space with joy and substance. When the set was over, I walked through the crowd, and the word choice was amazing.
Pink Noise @ Zebulon Invigorating Smart Noise
Pink Noise makes lots of noise from metal shredding guitar and bass and pounding drums but could not drown out the hefty and soulful vocals of Sharon Sulami This was a set of pure intensity with incredible exchanges between instruments. The noise of exhilaration and contrast played with the force of unpredictability. Invigorating smart noise.
Little Teeth form San Francisco @ Zebulon Scrabbled Experimentation
To say I was delighted to see Little Teeth is an understatement. The twosome of Sofia Bell and Dannie Murrie recently added Sean Real to their inner circle. Their original music is Folk as an art form played with a conviction of sensibility and spirit. Their all-out abandon of song structure focused on experimentation, strange but beguiling harmonies, and escalating emphasis on vocals, drumming, cello or banjo.
I was outside socializing when the band set up and was flabbergasted when I moved to the front to find the most intricate found object drum set de jour, including a small xylophone. Dani Murrie strapped on an assortment of shells and bells from ankle to knee.
During the set, they brought out some additional homemade contraptions. The traditional instruments were plucked and bowed with attitude adding to the disjointed samplings of sound that fried my brain from overdrive of the unexpected. The drummer Sean Real has a passion for playing. A joy to watch.
the music sounds like a much looser Coco Rosie or The Roaches scrabbled. They bring it on with guts, punk, and moxie. Halfway through their fifty-state tour, they stated, “We showered tonight.” Everyone cheered.
I would be remiss not to mention how much I enjoyed Zebulon. I loved the music played between sets, the food, and the great staff!
