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Once again, the band who should be hired to provide the sounds for the next Legend of Zelda made the trip to give us a Wednesday night dose of their mind-bending, head-bopping sonic extravaganza in the City of Brotherly Love. Taking the stage at classy Alex’s Jazz Underground on 21st St., this appearance coming a month-and-a-half since they first brought the Philly crowd along on their apocalyptic journey though sight and sound (No, Robert Stack did not MC this gig), the Wayne Krantz Group pushed the edge of improvisation and communication, bridging the gap between melodic rebellion and chaos, and always leaving smiles on the faces of their audience.
Guitarist Krantz, bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Keith Carlock brought the noise from their NYC residence at Christopher Street’s 55-Bar, where in recent weeks it has become harder to get into than Springsteen at MSG. But on this night, thanks to finally meeting Alex himself, I was able to get the same table from last show and give my buddy Steve his first glimpse of the revolution without someone’s head in the way. At first note, the boys took off on their unique style of driving, energetic, soul-quickening sound, leaving the next destination only up to them. Up and down, left and right, upside down and inside out, all of these angles were covered. Moving from sounds exploring the likes of hard house, tech-step, straight-ahead rock, to Mothership-stylee funk and back again, Krantz, Lefebvre, and Carlock dropped in and out of consciousness. Lefebvre’s envelope filter straight from Satan’s bass tech was so apparent, everybody was making the “Whhoooww” sound along with him. Well, I was at least. Carlock’s rudiments could arouse a flock of hummingbirds if they were indigenous to Philadelphia. Krantz was only himself, providing the icing and licking the spoon, but always letting the band get a taste. This band exemplifies what it truly means to be a band: fun, energetic, unselfish and constant exploration into themselves and their music, bringing it to the people in the most righteous of forms.
The flavor has caught on for Krantz and his band mates and gigs at the Wetlands as well as trips to Philly and Baltimore are probably just the first roads they will be traveling with more to come in the future. A self-perpetuated movement cultivated by these three individuals into a beautiful mosaic of auditory pleasure with an unvarying quest to find more. This is why Krantz, Lefebvre, and Carlock are unlike anything just like their music is unlike anything one can put their finger on. Stay attentive to these three misfits, they are bound to change the course of musical exploration, and then change it again before you can say anything.
Tonight I am off for round two at the 55 after some rehearsal of my own. Hopefully I can get through the pass gate this week. Maybe I can get Lefebvre to rally for a little two-on-two for a carton of smokes post gig. That is if I can find another player that can post him up.
Robert Krevolin
JamBase Philadelphia Correspondent
Go See Live Music!
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