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Rhubarb and NOSTA
January 22, 2005
A snowy, fridged January night of 10 below zero in Central New York was set ablaze Saturday, the 22nd. This momentous evening features none other than Utica's own two-man hip-hop attack NOSTA rhyming over the sick, heavily funktified space beats of Buffalo's Rhubarb. NOSTA is King Staf Kinetic and Fortunato Crook, both Utica natives with a record deal and a desire to be heard. Rhubarb is Buffalo's funky, jazzy rock-jam quartet who's pleased crowds at the Electric Company more than 5 times in the past two years, quickly becoming counted-on staples of the EC's musical line-up. Each time different yet always party hungry, Rhubarb had a great opportunity to prove their wide musical diversity and they did... infinitely. This night, the creative combination reached it's pinnacle... as this night, two styles of two seemingly polarized influences of music were forever fused into some of the most incredible organic, funk infused lyrical and musical combinations one could have imagined or better yet, observed. The blending of styles, interests and cultures was evident in the crowd as well as in the music. And both the music and diverse crowd were focused on the music, unity and fun to be had on this cold night. Fans of all backgrounds made their way to the dance floor to pump fists, bob-heads or all-out freak-out to the music. As well as to check out the added bonus of a refreshingly youthful Utica College girls ice hockey team make the stage their own dance floor. The music was wild. Imagine the live hip-hop musical skills and lyrical cadence of The Roots, with the funky and sometimes fast paced bass-synthesized segues reminiscent of Sound Tribe Sector 9, and each with pounds of thick, lardy, lyrical freestyle and musical improvisational skills! Heavy! NOSTA and Rhubarb are the jam/hip-hop equivalent of the apple fritter desert pizza: tentative to give it a try, but one bite seals the deal. A teasing sound check of a very quiet, droning drum & bass-driven intro featuring a lyrical intro by King Staf Kinetic who's calm, deliberate delivery stared-down the crowd with a creshendoing intensity and volume reminiscent of Talib Kweli. Local saxophone legend Sal Alberico joined the bass, guitar, drums and keyboards of Rhubarb as the last element of an increasingly jazz-leaning night turned into a sonic canvas equivalent completely worthy of comparison to another gem found in Utica: Jackson Pollock's 'Number 2' These guys are the real deal and should seriously look to partnering again in the near future, as they have something very special to share. We thank them for sharing it to us on Saturday. ~Bubba
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Electric Blue and The Kozmik Truth
October 7, 2003
Hip Hip Hooray for Electric Blue and The Kozmik Truth!!
I've been waiting for all the stars to align before i wrote my first show review...
All week long I kept my spirits up in anticipation of a great evening with one of my favorite bands - EBKT! Well, Friday came quickly, and I started my buzz off as soon as I got out of work...I'd been a good boy for too long, and I planned to really cut lose...
- We arrived at this bar called the Electric Co. just in time for Caveman, who were very impressive, some great improv jazz, these guys are definitely worth paying attention to!
The crowd was decent and all seemed to be in good spirits, the cheap Guinness was flowing, and that alone is enough to keep this belligerent Irishman happy all night long! Throw in some high times (even if it is 15 degrees tonight) and some ass kicking grooves, and you've got yerself a damn good Friday night on Varick St.
I had enjoyed the expanded Electric Blue all summer, with added guitar and extra jug-band percussion, but tonight EBKT is back to the core group, it seems, a four piece blues POWERFUCKINGHOUSE! This is the way I remember them from my first Kozmik taste so many years ago in the North Country. They started off strong, and never faltered.
Callie's vocals were HOT - as always, and my request was filled, causing this rhythm less white boy to dance like no one was watching! Killer tunes all night long, and 22 pints of the Guinness (yikes) make me as happy as the "Proverbial pig in the Hypothetical shit" Rock On, Electric Blue & the Kozmik Truth! Can't wait for NYE! The Kozmik 80's! (will Dee Snyder be there?) As this story goes to print, the question still lingers... Did this writer/boozehound make it to work at 7am on Saturday? I guess you may never know... Thanks to Zee, Laura and all the EC crew for turning up the buzz - and breaking off the knob!
...in search of the greatergroove...Partyman
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Humpday Hoedown
Sweet as Cherry Wine
Humpday is the perfect time for a Hoedown. I usually drag myself in slightly before 10 so I can mock the band as I get tuned up for the night. I keep my pint glass filled with an all natural pilsner beer. I say high! to friends outside of course. When Wooden Spoon comes on the bluegrass jam session begins. People stomp their feet and dance to the inspiring midweek sounds echoing off the bricks. I try to stay calm but the music is irresistible, I have to keep movin. It seems the drunker I get the more fun I have. Its become a regular tradition at the Electric Company and everyone who goes can feel the great vibes this band brings with it. Even in a daze you can feel the energy of their music. Does it drive you to hump?... I hope so! See ya there next Wednesday.
-SayJumner
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Love Scene Clear
August 18, 2003
Put the kids to bed and break out the water pipes...
What a good way to get out of your head, Love Scene Clear. This trio offers a late night psychedelic snack for the music scene. Expand your consciousness through their tasty sounds and ripened musical talent. Ten minutes into the show I was in a zone, I saw stars and I needed a drink to calm me down. The atmosphere alone was exciting my third eye, crystals, candles and tapestries, one sober trip I can handle. The unique style of this band included a drummer who never used sticks, one of the only drummers I have seen that slapped the symbols and made such a perfect sound. Even after 10 UC's I felt their energy and couldn't stop dancing. Great Vibes, soothing sounds, and an excellent stage presence. The Electric Company gets many props for booking this band. Be sure to see Love Scene Clear at Soul Flow this weekend it may be your last chance for a while, they are moving to Boulder CO. I wish them good luck on their move, and beg of them to come back and play another show at the E-Co. I hope everyone else enjoyed the show as much as I did.
-SayJumner
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Mecca Bodega
(last time they played TEC)
Mecca Bodega is one of my favorite experiences that i get to
visit time and again. these guys just flat love to play and it shows. if -you never had the pleasure to see these guys work your missing out. percussion, percussion and more percussion. drum kit, bongos, congos their gone'o. can't forget the hells bells and the brother dropping the low tones with his heavy bass rit'hym. look at that cats fingers go! Hammer dulcimer pure pleasure all night, past curfew every time. Indian dance, head down, heavy on the floor. round and round till i cant takes no more. spin'in and spin'in till i fall on the floor. joy and fun, light another one. watch where you take your hit or the boys will tell you to split. for some odd reason not tired even while dancing for three hours or- more! these guys are special, doing their thing, not getting rich and enjoying every minute. people join in that can get sick on some skins.- FULLER. no singing. no bullshit. feeding off the minute. give'in'em more- then their getting. wanting the crowd to chip in. so get off your duff and shake what you got. they won't disappoint and you won't want it to stop.- so thanks mecca! and thanks zee! and thanks laura! where you at matt? until next time. peace, love and shake your booty.
-danny d.
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Jeff Jones
Well, once again, Ol' Jones never ceases to amaze me! The guy isn't just sick, he's SARS, The Black Plague, Chicken Pox, The Mumps, and Terret syndrome all rolled into one! Jones brought his buddy the REV along with him for a night of insanity. When Jones isn't busting out a killer tune, he's doing a stand up comedy act.. The guy is funny.. His lyrics are the best around, and he rocks the place! I could go on and on all night about how Jones is the shit, but I won't Just come to the Electric Company the next time the guy is in town and see for yourself. I brought my buddy along with me to see his first Jones show and he left with his ears ringing and Jones in his head singing. Jeff's got so much talent its unreal. Heres a sample of a song> 'My name is Twinky, I'm white like the filling, I sit on the front porch with my monkeys just chillin, take a gulp from the bottle and pass it to the right, we get F'ed up all night" or "cash on the bar, goinga hold my place, don't blink your eye, I might steal your face, I'm no longer the victim you made me, ain't been a chump since the last time you played me"
Dats right!
Don't even need a free show entry for this one, always happy to hook up Jones..
-Mammy
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Big Black Dog - Tommy w/ Grooven Lumens
March 21, 2003
I went to the Electric Company to see BIG BLACK DOG with my buddy (The Kid). As soon as I entered the door, this funky blond chick wanted to put me on a negative inside her camera. I told her that I had to make to 'bladder gladder' and after, I'd hook her up with a beautiful snapshot of my mug. After I did my business, and drew on the chalk board, she shot a couple pics of me that will probably end up on some weirdo internet site, but oh well..
By now, my buddy was beginning to dump 'Black Forests' down his throat, I grabbed one and proceeded to join him in the festivities. I'm friends with most of the band and was happy to see the guys. Itâs been awhile since I last saw them play, and tonight was going to be a treat.. They seemed to have quite the production going with computerized ÎWindows Media Playerâ type lighting on a BIG WHITE screen. By then, all my long lost peeps started showing up. Thatâs one of the reasons I like the Electric Company the best, because every time you go, you run into old buddies. That night, it seemed like ÎBoonvilleâ was in the house, and I was chatting with the North Country crew most of the evening. Yessirr..
The show was great! Those guys kicked ass, scraped it off the floor and kicked the S.O.B again! They tore it up!
Iâm not good at describing how it sounded, except it was cool.. I wasnât a big fan of The Who, but after seeing BIG BLACK DOG, I think I will change my tune.
Well, here it is, The very first show review. I think I want a ticket to some private bachelors party whenever there is one!
Cheers!!
-MIKE MAMDAWG
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