Being able to have an eclectic experience with music is truly a gift. Weaving in and around different styles, genres, and sounds makes for a truly immersive environment. Which brings me to a recent show I went to that was all of the previously mentioned and more. At The Baked Potato in Studio City/Hollywood, Stick Men performed a set that was truly unique and quite a bit of a trip into a different world.
Stick Men is a trio featuring King Crimson’s Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto with Markus Reuter. Together they make music that feels part film score, part avant-garde, part progressive rock and part jazz. This evening at the legendary Baked Potato, Tony, Pat and Markus were celebrating the group’s new album, Let’s THRAK Again, a tribute to King Crimson’s ’90s landmark album, THRAK.
Throughout the bands set, you felt like you were swept away by the rhythms and dissonance. Being all instrumental, your imagination has the ability to run wild and free. Each piece lent itself to a remarkable story. The playing abilities of all three was astounding. Music like this is not easy and yet at the same time felt almost improvised. That feeling is something that truly makes music special. Amongst the sold out crowd, you could sense that those there were swept away by it all too.
When the opportunity comes to explore your musical tastes, go and see what comes of it. Shows like this and bands like Stick Men, show there is a wealth of more to discover. And what a great place to start than with King Crimson.
Overall Rating: A
By: Brian Lacy
Stick Men- Let’s THRAK Again:
