Upcoming Gig: April 5, 2009 7:30pm

Upcoming Shows Comments Off on Upcoming Gig: April 5, 2009 7:30pm

Ross Byron
Otto’s Shrunken Head
538 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10009
212-228-2240
(Google Map)

This will be my first time playing Otto’s Shrunken Head since my friend Rich Betancourt died. Sadly, he perished in a car accident.

We played together, on and off, in multiple projects throughout the years. We did his own material, we were in a project called Dagit, and our final venture was the Cellar Poets.

This experience will definitely be a first.

Additional Links:
Rich Betancourt’s Official Website
Rich Betancourt on MySpace

Ozomatli @ The Fillmore: March 20, 2009

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I used to remember this room as Irving Plaza, but it has been a long time I’ve attended a show between its walls. The last act I saw may have been Mike Watt when he was touring to support Ball-Hog or Tugboat? That was probably over a decade ago, so “Welcome Back!”

Has anything changed? Not really. Capacity is under 2,000, so there are plenty of people in the room, but no one is too far away from the band. No seating is available, which allows the room to take on a number of different vibes, depending on the act that takes the stage. Here are a few examples:

Cozy: Lisa Loeb
(“What the hell is a big black man doing at a Lisa Loeb show?” SHUT UP! It was the 90’s and I was sensitive.) Not exactly a raucous crowd. Imagine a coffee house without the coffee or seats. The fans are polite, and they sway gentle with the music, applaud with vigor, but also with a certain reserve. Think of being in a very big living room. The only time I was reminded that I was at a concert is when everyone stared at Lisa’s butt when she bent over to adjust something on her amp.

Rockin’: The Rollins Band
The Rollins Band is one of my favorite groups of all time (at least when they were sporting the Henry Rollins, Melvin Gibbs, Sim Cain, Chris Haskett lineup), so I was definitely amped for this show. They were touring to support Weight, so they were near the height of their powers. The crowd moved to the music, jumped around, started a little bit of a mosh pit, but it wasn’t a show that made you fear for your safety. Imagine a loud rock show at a big arena that was left in the dryer for too long. It was loud enough for you to feel the music in your body but you would be close enough that to feel that you’re in on a special act that not many people discovered.

Vicious: Biohazard
I think wherever Biohazard plays, a rowdy and physical crowd will follow. I’ve been to a number of metal/hard rock/thrash/punk shows in my time, and without fail, in every mosh pit, at every concert, there is “That Guy”. That Guy is the fellow who is a little too enthusiastic. He’s the one bumping into people a little too hard. He’s the guy that flails his arms a little too wildly, who kicks a little too high, who pushes with a little too much force… and almost always, he’s wearing a Biohazard shirt. I’m not trying to condemn the band or their fans, but it’s just an observation. I’m not sure if it’s the same guy, or if every room that has a metal show has a Biohazard shirt guy that rises out of the floorboards once the first chord is struck, but he’s always there. Imagine a room filled with That Guy. Imagine a small enclosed space with hundreds of That Guy. It was alotta of fun, but I was very happy to have medical insurance.

Enter Ozomatli
Ozomatli is a band that everyone should see live. Even if you never purchase an album, you should check them out in person, not on video, not a live recording, in person. They are a unique combination of Latin jazz, rock, hip-hop, and funk. Their music is the kind that you can’t but help move your head and hips to, and when you have 1,000 or more people moving their heads and hips, you get jumping, dancing, bopping, twisting, turning, and a great time. The Filmore is the perfect room for their act. Not only can everyone see them (without aid of monitors or screens), but they can connect with everyone in the crowd. For a band that prides themselves on interacting with their audience, it is wonderful.

My girlfriend, who has never heard an Ozo song, had no idea what she was about to see, was moving her hips, dancing, and jumping about by the second song in the set.

The band consisted of bass, drums, keyboards, horns, guitars, percussion, and multiple vocals. Members switch instruments between songs, sometimes adding new woodwinds or percussion, sometimes taking away an element. The entire time, the band is dancing along with the crowd. Guest artists came up to jam with band, including Eric Krasno from Soulive.

The last time I saw Ozomatli was in Central Park in 2007. I was surprised to see that their crowd was much older this time around. Not to suggest that their audience was comprised of dinosaurs, but I expected a larger 17-22 year old contingency. This crowd was much better dress, a little cleaner that what I expected. Many more women were in heels instead of sneakers. Men opted for polo shirts instead of t-shirts. It was not what I expected to see at a show where everyone is packed in close, jumping and sweating. Odd.

For the first time, I was in the balcony area of The Filmore. I had always attended show on the main floor, but I was with friends who wanted to be in that area. Cool. The sound in that area was not quite as crisp as on the floor (at least as crisp as I remember). I don’t know if it is the room, new equipment, or a mediocre soundman, but the vocals got muddy and lost by the time they reached my ears. Certain horns had a difficult time ringing through as well.

Nevertheless, an enjoyable time was had by all. Keeping with the fan-friendly atmosphere, the band is happy to pose and talk with fans after the show. Definitely check them out if they are in your area.