A rather odd pairing of bands, Brothers Past opened the night with their version of wide open trance-rock. The club was sparsely filled when they took the stage, though the few fans that were inside at this early hour were definitely there to see the opener. Immediate cheers from the audience greeted the four piece from Philadelphia, and they eagerly pounced on the "Year of the Horse" opener. It is easy to see why Brothers Past has been creating such a name for themselves over the past couple of years. With the jam scene overflowing with similar outfits, this band is actually utilizing songwriting skills, accompanied by airy vocals to the now too common sound of pulsating beats. Dispersed between rhythmic tones often led by the talented keyboard player Tom McKee, and the e-drum set of guitarist Tom Hamilton, the band launches into ambient explorations that create the space necessary to keep the set flowing without pause. Although inevitably every tune bubbled into a similar "techno-jam" crescendo, this young band has a great deal of promise. The "Fascination Street" they brought out to close the set was far from the version your sister played while getting ready for High School dances. This Cure favorite was full of power, and ultimately extended into greater depth than previously thought possible.
As many of the Brothers Past fans made an early exit, the club quickly filled up with the older Boston faithful ready to greet Mountain of Venus back to the Harpers stage. With origins in Colorado, then a move to Boston and now recently moving the band out of the Northeast region yet again, MOV has been on the road relentlessly. Playing tons of shows across the country and booking a massive current tour, including this summer’s High Sierra and Berkfest, they have not only gained a strong following, but have caught the attention of fellow musicians, such as Steve Kimock who asked the band to open his 2002 New Years run. It was a logical choice. The Mountain of Venus sound is reminiscent of that Dead, or Kimock west coast style. Guitarist Michael Pascale, leads beautifully with those swirling, high pitched notes that resonate to the ceiling leaving audiences twirling in the aisles.
In addition, the lead vocal spot is shared by guitarist Jody Cohen and female vocalist Tanya Shylock. The structured harmonies truly emulate the warmth this band is capable of creating. Though they trade lyrics, each of them leave more than enough room for plenty of classic, improvisational rock. With the elimination of a keyboard element, MOV quickly becomes an all guitar assault. Feeding off each other, the sound is delicate and intricate, yet simultaneously rich and gutsy, with a pounding rhythm section keeping it all together. Newcomer Mike Garret (commonly known as Stingray) on drums is a vital addition. Situated on a drum set that resembles the bare bones of a jazz kit, he somehow manages to sound like two drummers in that true Dead fashion. All talented musicians, their culmination as a single unit repeatedly generates that spontaneous spark and timeless magic many bands chase for years.
MOV’s third official release entitled, Live at Cicero's, was recorded on 12.19.02 at Cicero's in St. Louis, MO, and is now available.
