Hidden Track’s adorable boyfriend/girlfriend team of Jeremy Gordon and Carla Danca hit up RAQ this past weekend…he shoots photos, she talks.

Coming in from the bitter cold last Friday, RAQ was ready to turn heads on the first of a two-night run at Mexicalli Blues Café in Teaneck, NJ. Starting the night off with a nod to New Jersey was Lembo, quickly followed up with another fan favorite, Brother From Another Mother. The band didn’t waste a moment heating up the night with an upbeat jam that set the mood for the 90-minute first set.

Michetti

RAQ showed off its many faces, moving from almost metal-esque sound to smooth ballad pieces and back around to bubbly bouncy songs that left the house moving in their wake. The lively first set brought out a huge variety of songs that spanned their entire catalog. Each of the band members was able to show off his range, but the band stayed tight by working in a cohesive rhythm. Even when the energy in the room was seemingly at its max, the quartet kept it going by finishing off the set with an Otis Spode > Wax that left the crowd ecstatic.

Read on for more great photos, audio from the show and a full report…

RAQ

RAQ came back rearing for the second set, opening up with a Walking in Circles and then City Funk from their Ton These album. The group’s dedicated following was eager to be heard, loudly responding to the loops of hey-o that were thrown at them. It seemed that they were ready no matter what twists the band took, proving the fans an integral part of the show.

RAQ

The transitions in the second set kept everyone guessing as RAQ seamlessly moved though Hitchhiker > Reason > Hitchhiker. They continued to add multiple layers with the sound effects, entrancing fans with spacey jams that were almost haunting at times. Throughout the night the band never gave the crowd a minute to catch their breath, leaving the entire room eager for Night Two.

RAQ

The boys made sure to save something for Saturday night when they returned to play for the packed house. After opener Natural Breakdown’s set, RAQ was back out in full force, pounding away on the keys and playing hard throughout the night to the calls and cheers of the crowd. They showed off an electrifying variety of sounds by playing another night full of originals. By the time everyone said good night the smiles on the faces were telling, for RAQ is keyed up for a year of throwing down hard.

Michetti

1/25/08 Setlist

Set I
Lembo, Brother From Another Mother, One Of These Days, Hannah Can ->
Don’t Let Go, CHUCK*, Weakling, Bag It Out, Otis Spode ->Wax

Set II
Walking In Circles, City Funk, Boom, One Eyed Jack, Michetti NYE Loop ->
Ventriloquist -> Quick & Painless -> Hitchhiker ->Reason ->Hitchhiker ->Quick & Painless

E: Said And Done

RAQ

1/26/08 Setlist

Set I
Gabvonie, Tumblin Down, Moxey, Late Night > Shirley > Cafe > Forget me Not > Japan > Late Night, Silhouette, Comin Home, Beauregard

Set II
Confuzor, 15 Shakes, Donkey Show, Sucked up the Chutz > Nasty > Rattlesnake > Nasty
Premium, Back to the Head > Bootch Magoo

E: Bob’s Your Uncle

RAQ

So, anyone hit this show? Got any thoughts you’d like to share with the class?

RAQ