For the week prior to Friday night’s show, Philadelphia’s psychedelic jam band the Disco Biscuits had been playing non-stop on my ipod. Due to the band’s eclectic sound, I couldn’t quite decide how I felt about them. “Is it rock, is it trance, is it jazz?” I wondered. Ultimately losing my excitement for the show, I decided to give them a chance nonetheless, especially since one of Austin’s most popular venues, Stubbs, booked the band, a promising sign that their live set would be worthwhile.
As soon as the Disco Biscuits took the stage, the sold out crowd’s infectious energy overwhelmed me. Immediately, my head began to bob to the bass of their trance inspired sound. I soon realized that seeing the Disco Biscuits live is truly the best way to enjoy them. My mixed feelings about their recorded music made sense when compared with this riveting experience. The Disco Biscuits’ use of thumping bass and vibrant lights were not something my ipod could offer. I felt like I was hearing a completely different group.
There were cliques of people dancing all over Stubbs, and as soon as the jazz/trance music transitioned into rock, they went from dancing to jumping with hands pumping in the air. Guys and girls waved out two fingers in a gun-like motion as they joined the Disco Biscuits in shouting out, “With a gun in my hand!” The lyrics in each song lasted about 20-30 seconds, and then it was back to moving with the psychedelic beats. The Biscuits’ hypnotic rythyms reeled me in, and as the heavy bass vibrated through my body, I couldn’t help but feel completely mesmerized. The light show added to the mind-expanding performance, creating a rave-like atmosphere.
Jon Gutwillig (guitar), Marc Brownstein (bass), Allen Aucoin (drums), and Aron Magner (keyboards) proved why they have been one of the most succesful trance fusion groups in the past decade.
The show left me shocked and amazed, and I am truly happy that I was able to experience their live set. I suggest listening to “Voices Insane” off their most recent album The Wind at Four to Fly to get a feel for their sound. Just remember, to really get the full experience you must see them live. If you don’t get that opportunity, buy a strobe light, turn up the bass, and get ready to embark on a scintilating journey.
