April 24, 2006
Twin Cats
I can count, on one hand, the amount of times I've been out, seen a jam band, and determined that I'd absolutely go see them again. Everything that people usually hold up against the jam groups - the noodling, the lack of songcraft, the audience - are ideas that I share. Confession over.
Now, this past Friday night, a five-piece group of Indianapolis, IN, the Twin Cats, were playing to a thin crowd at Pop's Blue Moon; maybe a half-dozen people, apart from the group's girlfriends and the off-duty employees. In a lot of ways, the band encapsulated the style, with songs called "Snacks," and long, loooping jams. Alas.
At some point, though, sax player Nick Gerlach took over. Maybe it wasn't a conscious decision, but he simply asserted himself and dragged his workmanlike group in new and unique directions. Though the remainder of the group have pro chops, Gerlach's skills are so evident that you can't help but focus in on him and, sometimes, only him. During a 10-minute workout of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (I know, I know), Gerlach just dominated the cut, sending one diminutive, male audience member into a puppet-dancing frenzy. It was a moment that you had to see to fully appreciate, but I got the sense they were capable of pulling this off on a regular basis.
Mayb it was just the night, though. Maybe the stars were aligned. It also helped to be as baked as Aunt Bernie's apple strudel. Whatever. The set worked and I have to be brave enough to say so. Confession two, over.
Check out the band's site and the Japanese anime site that almost has the same URL. Why not?