Show Review

The show quietly began with a solo acoustic appearance by Ryan Montbleau, before he was slowly joined by the members of Acoustic Trance Project (ATP). Built as a loosely constructed side project of The Pincushions, ATP is a bar-style rock band, with heavy 70s progressive guitar lines, complete with distortion and muddy effects. While the songs do ramble to some plateaus of interest, what is most peculiar is the relatively deceiving moniker. Aside from Montbleu's contribution and a repetitive drumbeat, ATP is actually neither acoustic nor trance.

Advertised as the headliner, Nikulydin actually filled the middle spot of the night. This constantly evolving group are properly self-described as "Live Improvised Underground Dance Music". Strong rhythms and pulsating beats supply the framework for the keyboard generated space trance which moves along at a feverous pace. Rather than stringing sections along, connecting beat changes with drastic transitions common in most "techno" bands, Nikulydin lays back and finds the groove quite seamlessly. Cohesiveness is a focal point, and it's evident in the dream-like state attained throughout much of the set, visually aided by Ed Guild. Geared up with a projector and editing programs created for VJs Guild creates beat-driven eye candy that, although overbearing at times, even entices the casual beer drinkers at the bar to turn around.

Double Helix; the Uncle Sammy side project featuring Beau Sasser on keys and Tom Arey on drums, continues to offer audiences various all star lineups and powerful diverse sets. Though spin off bands are consistently loose and unpolished, Helix stands tall with the rotating roster, but more specifically the individual strengths of the Uncle Sammy players. With roots solidified at Berklee and years of playing together, the duo are a Boston highlight. Always moving in and out of styles, progressions and tempos, Helix is eclectic and tight, but when you add the percussion of Scooter Vineburgh and have them back a quickly growing local celebrity like MC Kabir, the band takes on a full trip-hop aura. Lyrical poetry that is heavy on politics and socially conscience, reminiscent of Michael Franti, Kabir can front a band but also allow for the instrumentation to flow. Often times a front man counter-attacks the mission of a band that lives on extended jams, but tonight Kabir was able to let the musicians take center stage when it was appropriate.

All photos courtesy of Elisa C. Thomas [url]http://www.dragonflyroar.com/photography.htm