The Radar Screen
November 1, 2003
by Alexander Washburn

When in Rome...

I hate to name-drop, but when in Rome...

Still loitering in LA, Radar Screen found itself in the the backyard of Kill Bill producer Lawrence Bender’s house, looking for some good laughs. It was hard not to with Larry David, Aisha Tyler, Dustin Hoffman and Bill Maher all in attendance. RS could’ve done without all the political talk and they only served white wine which is lame anyway you cut it.

At least RS could get a stiff drink late night on the set of the "She Spies" with Tasha and Tash otherwise known as co-starts Natasha Henstridge and Natasha Williams.

The El Rey Theater was the best venue RS went to in LA. Unfortunately for Particle who played two shows one Saturday night, the venue was the best part of the evening. Sorry, RS just didn’t get it but others did and that’s what its all about. Rock on!

Seal was doing some face-to-face promotion of his new record on the roof of the Museum of Radio, TV and Film. Sorry, it’s going to take more than that. Jude Law was smart to leave before they ran out of Belvedere.

Having already missed The Critical Brass Band on two occasions there was no way Radar Screen was going to miss Youngblood Brass Band live at the Temple Bar. This is the fifth brass band this column has visited and this crew from Wisconsin held their own among heavyweights like the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth. Youngblood features six horns, two drummers, an MC and one bad ass sousaphonist in Nat McIntosh. This is hip-hop, jazz and funk all rolled up into one progressive musical education that shouldn't be missed.

Stanton Moore Owns the House of Blues

Well, it’s certainly a better image than Jim Belushi owning it. The room is full but definitely not packed. It’s a school night so it wasn’t one of those general admission shows where you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the person next to you. Here you had room. Enough space to allow for more than your neck to get loose.

Groups like Garage a Trios cannot be categorized musically. What you will see first and foremost are four of the most talented musicians doing what they do best – playing music. Charlie Hunter reinvents the guitar just by picking it up. Mike Dillon’s percussion drop perfectly into the music while other times it reveals itself as the backbone. Saxophonist Sherik is pushing the boundaries of music and technology with impressive results. And Stanton Moore is just being his best drummer on Earth self. ‘Nuff said.

One minute, GAT is coming at you with straight jazz. Shortly it’s layered with funk grooves by Charlie or from Sherik. Radar Screen has no idea what Dillon is banging on back there but he and the House of Blues crowd like it. What started as jazz has gone from funk then to blues and now seamlessly without effort lands with a Latin groove as Charlie’s guitar strikes the soul of the Flamenco dancer in all of us.

Sometimes GAT would sound like the best heavy metal band as Stanton Moore stands up from behind the drum kit to beat the shit out of his cymbals. Other times they would give you an electronica or hip hop feel sounding like the Brand New Heavies did on Heavy Rhyme Experience Volume One. GAT even played a few tracks off the first Stanton Moore solo record: All Kooked Out, which featured Sherik and Charlie Hunter and is widely known as the first GAT record. They even pushed it further for their encore when the foursome took residence with percussionist Dillon’s and delivered a melody of sounds that framed perfectly the evening’ musical journey.

This Month Radar Screen Picks Up

Blumpkin Nation by Invisible Movie Soundtrack, Released by Penny Nation, hits the styles of Portishead and early Brand New Heavies nicely. When the perfect voice of Lydia is heard on "She Sings to Me" and "Damn Allright," the band’s commitment to exploration and diversity should be applauded.

Dimstar by Full has another great voice and songwriter in Ms. Wings. On the title track, Ms. Wings shows a soulful seductive side singing “you can do anything but have me” with a swagger. The timbales and congas at the end of the track also make for a nice touch. On the impressive instrumental "Parachute" the band gets to show off its musical ability led by drummer Sandon and The Commander on cello.

In the tradition of Concrete Blonde, Casualties of Uncertainty by Upstairs is straightforward guitar-driven rock and roll. It’s also some of the best lyrics Radar Screen has heard all year. Unlike most groups Upstairs has a singer with the passion and power to deliver them with meaning. Her musical backing is also tight making this as strong a debut as they come. Standout tracks include "Can You Find Me Someone?" "Don’t Say Goodbye" and "Over and Over."

~ ~ ~

Liner notes: Radar Screen ran out of money and was run out of LA, told not to return until the next recall. So, we're back in NYC looking for late night entertainment and indie artists to review. Drop us a line at: radarscreen@2walls.com