the following review by Jeffrey Peterson, Rock City News
When a band has a buzz, you can feel it, it's in the air. It fills the room with an unmistakable energy, a pulse that vibrates around the stage. Estradasphere has that buzz. The Troubadour was jammed packed with hardcore fans in costume and eager newcomers, hoping that the band lives up to its flawless reputation. They did.
The five piece act from Santa Cruz chose LA as the launching pad to their 2002 US/Canadian tour. These masters of the new school of avant garde took to the stage with a 19 minute instrumental masterpiece entitled "Hungerstrike," a prog/jazz number that showcases each band member.
Drummer Dave Murray pounded the drums to perfection, displaying his above average abilities. After a little "Smells Like Teen Spirit" tease, the band broke into a blazing rendition of "Burnt Corpse," like an orange wedge to clear the palate. The "Gummi Bears" theme put a smile on one and all, as did the Beatles' "What Goes On." Bassist Tim Smolens dedicated Bryan Adams' classic "Summer of '69" to his father.
"Meteorite Showers" reminded the crowd what amazing harmonies these musicians possess. Next up was "A Very Intense Battle," a song the band claims has never been played before an audience. Guitarist Jason Schimmel's fiery fretwork had the room in awe as his fingers danced to the music.
This grindcore epic featured a dark figure in a black robe and one of the band's infamous "death metal cheerleaders," sort of like the Addams Family on extasy! Esphere shifted gears with some funk, jazz and the world music with "Hardball" and "Turkish techno." Violinist Timb Harris did his best crab impression for "King Krab Battle," bringing the set to a happy ending. After a brief break and relentless chanting of the band's name, the boys came back.
One of the band's die hard fans, also known as "goonies," joined Estradasphere for a sprinted round of "Turtle Power" from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. The show reached its peak when Saxophonist John Whooley took the mic for the WWF-inspired "Body Slam." This was a call to arms as a mosh pit came to life. The six foot eight John climbed the light fixture and some guy in a sheep outfit did a stagedive.
This was a one in a million moment in time, a slice of magic that only Estradasphere can create. Keep your eyes and ears on these legends in the making.
the following review by Fritz, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Well, here we are again, waiting for one of my favorite bands to blow through Austin again. I had high hopes for them, besides the obvious euphoria that comes with seeing the band, but also that they felt better after the show since last time they claimed to have sucked harder than a Costa Rican whore. Were they to be dissatisfied with Austin again, I was afraid that they would skip over Austin for good during any of their future tours and head for someplace worse. Like Houston.
Gents, bit of advice. Avoid Emo's. It's a shitty dive where you can be guaranteed a headache. Hit Stubb's BBQ next time you decide to come through Austin. Best live venue in Austin if you ask me. They'll treat you nicer than Emo's. My complaints about the show have nothing to do with the band, but with the fucking venue. Can the mighty E-sphere get an ounce of respect? No, apparently not. I was sure that the boys were going to beat the sound guy to death with his own arms during the beginning of the show (For his gracious misuse of levels), not to mention the fact that they were put on a smaller stage this time around than when they came through last year opening up for the Chiefs. Add that to the fact that Mr. Dicknose Soundperson announced to the boys via loudspeaker DURING A FUCKING SONG "Five Minutes, guys." And, of course, the place closed down immediately after the show was over, leaving us with no time to gush to the band about how amazing they were. Well, enough of my complaints. I just feel that a band this talented should be better treated than, say, Dishwalla.
Now, on to the actual show review--
Please forgive my rambling, I'm still at a loss for how to succinctly recount all that happened, so I'm opting for a stream-of-consciousness thingy. First and foremost, if you haven't seen this band, or if they are playing within a tri-state area, GO SEE THEM. You will not regret it. As I said before, the band regarded their last stint in Austin as a definite low point in their touring schedule, which is unfathomable for the life of me. I assume that they felt that their technical ability that day wasn't up to scratch, but quite frankly, I didn't notice one misplaced note. $5 and a stage time of about half an hour and the band gave me one of the best shows I have ever been to, rivalling Angels of Light in performance. Good enough to make me forget, nay condemn, the $56 Roger Waters show that happened the previous night. They outshined both Waters and the Chiefs, and left me wanting a lot more. Signs of a good show. And they hated it.
So you can imagine how excited I was to see them headline and shine for over two hours.
Thursday was a very... busy day for music in Austin. Tenecious D was opening up for the String Cheese Incident, and Sam Rivers was playing across town. My decision about who to see never wavered. I was here for the 'Sphere. My friends and I spread the word as usual about the best thing on ten legs, and we were very happy to see that the place was pretty crowded. We stood through the opening band, (a local dealie called the Blue Noise Band, very Naked City-esque) and then rushed the stage so we could look up everyone's noses. The boys came out, and crammed all their equipment and selves onto the stage (Jason: "You think this stage is small enough?"). Actually, the band had to keep some stuff on the floor, like Timb's stunt guitars, John's sax cases, and a music stand.
Here is a verbatim set list that I casually snagged after the show:
Randy
fame->police->cioc
Xibalba
What Goes On
D Medley
La Vida
BF?
Hardball-> Night Ryder-> Greek
Body Slam
You might see all of this in a show where the venue puts them on to play at a decent hour, instead of at 12:00 and they don't have the leisure of playing as long as they goddamn feel like it, they being the headliners of the show and thus the point of all the people filling up their establishment. However, the band had to make some cuts to the show (as far as I could tell), and only had one cut from Buck Fever, Meteorite Showers, which was placed in the D Medley. La Vida Loca was totally axed off the set. Now, on to the play by play list (as I hopefully can remember it)
Randy's Desert Adventure - I actually hadn't listened to Estradasphere for several months prior to this show. This kicked my ass back into gear with a quickness. John seemed to be cursed with not getting any amplification to his sax, but luckily he got it up and running by the middle of the song.
Fame/Police Academy Medley - Why do I love Estradasphere and Angels of Light so much? Because when you go to a show you are guaranteed to hear more new stuff than old stuff, and the new stuff kicks your ass just as much as the familiar music. That's Fame the television show, not the David Bowie funk number. Guess what, now Timb's trumpet mike gave out. This problem was solved by him sharing John's sax mike. I hope that the sound man is now beaten to death with his own lifeless children. Besides that, the covers are spot on, and done with an energy that impresses me, makes me laugh, and want them to keep playing on into the night.
The Princes of Xibalba- One thing's for certain, E-sphere's been honing their improv chops, and it shows. This was an amazing rendition that basically proves why these guys are gods amongst mortals. All five of them are the nonpareil with their instruments, and they deserve every bit of praise that comes their way.
After this, Timb made a general plea for liquid refreshment of the agua variety, and also, for the first time since I've been going to concerts, asked if people would smoke outside. Timb might think that he's a Santa Cruzan bitch-ass, but I have to say that such a request is pretty much unheard of in Texas, and everyone was polite and took it outside. If you ask nicely, I guess. The boys then asked if people could buy their CDs and whatnot, on account of them being in a state of "FR" (explained by John as "financial ruin," or "$8,000 in the hole" in Timb's own words). This bit of news makes me grimace. It's not right.
What Goes On- The "Ringo song" from Rubber Soul. Holy shit, everything these guys touch is gold. Unbelievable. Jason makes everyone in the band laugh with his Ringo impression, or maybe they just laugh because... aw, lookit, it's Jason twying to sing! KIDDING!
D Medley- Tim almost steals the show with his Bryan Adams impression on "Summer of '69." This is where the show starts to get fuzzy for me. The band once again make the collective jaw of the audience drop. Timb almost makes me do a spit take on the cute girl next to me when he fucks around on his stunt guitar during one part of the medley. From this, they leap into "Meteorite Showers", and everyone sings along. After this, they take off on something that I can't put my finger on, and Jason rips into his guitar with a fire that I haven't heard since Zappa. WHY ARE THESE GUYS STRUGGLING?
After this, John does some crazy vocal loops for a minute or two with his sax mike and basically makes a mini-song entirely out of his voice. Beans of coolness.
Hardball et. al. - Holy shit what a show stopper. John teases everyone by saying, "This next song is... the name of this next song is... this is a song called..." Cries of "Dapper Bandits!", "Hungerstrike!", and the occasional "Zelda!" ring out. Then the band shouts out "Hardball!" and take off. E-sphere kicks much ass and takes plenty of names with this new medley. More improvising madness. I commend them for another bad ass cover, this time the "Night Rider" theme. Absolutely no synthesizers were used in the making of this song. After that, Timb took everyone on a long violin tour (I'm assuming it's the "greek" part of the medley) that astounded everyone. Tim asked the audience something like "That's pretty good, isn't it?" and everyone went nuts. The band wound down after the omnipotent message from the sound guy that they had five minutes left.
Body Slam - No amount of nuts could match the chocolate macademia collection that ensued when Estradasphere played the final song of the night. A full out metal track, replete with shout-along chorus and a shirtless Whooley. What a way to close it out.
Well, as soon as the show ended, the staff started harrassing everyone about getting out if they weren't buying stuff. While my friends were getting their CD's autographed by the band, I tracked on over to the "for sale" table and talked with Dave Murray. I wished him good luck wherever he went in life and that I was sorry to see him go from the band. We had to skedaddle (hah, I actually used it) before the Emo's staff maced us for daring to stay past closing time. Well, I hope that the band felt that the show went well enough to return to Austin. I certainly felt so.
That's it. Are you still reading? Sorry if I come off long-winded. I don't have many loves, but I can say that I truly love Estradasphere and I wish nothing but the best for them and everything including the worst for whatever keeps them from making great music. The show went by way too fast, although I suspect that even 7 hours of Estradasphere wouldn't be enough. Great show, guys. Great fucking show.
--Fritz
the following review by Tony Dagnall, posted on Satori Sound website
This was one of those truly rare days when you just know that you're working in the right place at the right time, the coolest place in town by miles, and others in there maybe know it and can feel it too. It thrills to the bone, and no mistake.
Dennis is a very bright spark and plays guitar in Conecuh Workshop, one of the most innovative and inspiring bands around. He also works in the store some Saturdays. Recently the only decent local venue we have here had moved and some of the bands booked to play lost their chance during relocation. One such band set to play was to be Estradasphere, a more credible name than most who come through here apparently. Dennis is a big fan of the band and was not prepared to let them pass us by without a fight.
He picked up the tab for Estradasphere and promoted the show to take place in our small but perfectly situated cafe. Over the weeks prior to the event he printed many different kinds of eye catching flyers (very much his forte that) and even created a five song taster CDR of the band for us to hand out free to 'the cool people', as he put it himself. It was through this burned CD that I heard the band for the first time and I was quite impressed. The band was due to play in our humble cafe this very evening.
The telephone had been ringing off the hook all day with enquiries from places like New Orleans and Pascagoula. At four o'clock we had kids in the record store from Auburn who had traveled four hours to see the show and were planning to stay put for fear of missing out. It was a no tickets show on a strictly first come first served basis. Our seating capacity was beginning to make me very nervous indeed. I had visions of a deluge of crusty travelers following in a steady line like in that final scene from Field of Dreams. We had no idea just how many people were planning to show up for this thing. No way would all of these people get in.
Whizz whizz whizz to showtime and a packed house of easy eighty or so people loving the band to bits. A further thirty or so waited peacefully outside on the porch and seemed happy to do so. We kept our seating capacity responsibilities to the letter and no one seemed to mind. The band were loving it (no cigarette smoke in this joint, as they apparently loathe that sort of thing), the audience were loving it and so, I have to confess, was I.
A five piece band of excellent musicians, featuring drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, saxophone, flute, bizarre percussion, freaky effects pedals, the kitchen sink. The band plays their taut and intricate music to the letter from the CD version, and entertains us all with swift time signature changes, long and intense instrumental solos, edgy death metal moments. That sort of thing and the occasional curve ball too. Like when the bass player steps up to the microphone to inform us that he would like to play his favorite song for us. A count of four and they kick in with a note perfect rendition of The Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams! Nice touch. Later we also got a death metal version of Ricky Martin's Livin' La Vida Loca. Too bizarre for words.
The sound was amazing and I could hear every nuance and note. It was the same later from my comfortable seated vantage point on the porch whilst enjoying a smoke. I glanced over my left shoulder into the parking lot to witness a young lady in a leotard juggling with a large stick aflame at both ends. A fire dancer. Unreal. The place was like the circus had come to town. It was great.
Everyone had a brilliant time. Dennis had made enough to pay the band their guarantee and more besides, keeping not a penny to himself (top lad), and the band in turn informed me later that they had sold $400 worth of CD's in the parking lot post show. They were happy, Dennis was happy, damn it, everyone was happy. It was an inspiring night, the like of which we just don't see that often in these parts.
I was the last one out at 1:00AM, locking the front door behind me. We normally close at eleven on Saturdays but I wasn't too concerned about having to stay late to tidy up. Even the daylight savings time clock moving forward couldn't dampen my spirits.
For this night at least, I was in the only place in town to be.
It was just brilliant.
the following review by "banyan", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Hey all. Just want to give a quick rundown for everyone of last night's show in Tallahassee, Fl. The club blew a P.A. and cancelled the show. There was a piece of notebook paper directing everyone to the band's hotel. When I got there, there were three people waiting outside for the fellers to return from dinner. They returned and welcomed us inside. Introductions were made and the band proceeded to " clear their heads" and get comfortable. The Newcastle flowed and so did some of the most incredible music. It turned into a true session of musicians and music lovers making music. It was more or less a night off for the guys, but the " rehearsal" session was better and more memorable than any live show I've seen. This is a show that people will talk about in hushed reverent tones for years to come. Too bad it wasn't recorded although I did get lots of pictures which I'll be sending to the band. A wonderful introduction to their music for me...thanks homies
the following review by "monobrow", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
'twas a beautiful night. i hate to hear of the financial strain on the group right now. such effort deserves much more! the price of ONE ticket for a mainstream artist is probably more than the entire audience paid to see estradasphere last night...nevermind. Every performance from these guys is amazing, but out of the three shows i've been to, last night was perfection at it's finest.
the following review by "particle noun", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
This show was increadible. They started late at around 11:00. Everyone was totally excited. They came down in front of the stage, and started the set with the accapela In My Room. From there, it was pure joy. You could hear people in the room saying things like "Could there be a better band?" "Have you ever experienced anything like this before" "This is the most increadible thing I've ever heard"....
I brought 10 of my friends, and each of them loved the band, and ended up buying one or two cd's. The boys seemed to be having a really good time up there, really communicating and jamming well.
At one point, a guy who I guess played on the same stage with them at burning man got up and did a short but brilliant opera piece with accompanyment by dave and tim.
I'll never forget Timb's immitation of a Mario Brothers Krab during king krab battle. Absolutely priceless.
I have to thank Estradasphere for putting on such a brilliant show. I've spread the disease in a serious way to about five people because of this show....the tours work guys, hope we can expect to see you once or twice a year.
I don't know how many people total there were, but it was relatively filled. Enough to keep the energy really really high.
Silent Elk, Very Intense Battle, what can I say. I'm so gratefull to have heard Dave play these live one last time, along with everything else of course. Brilliant. Absolutely brillliant.
the following review by "lee harvey phonics", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Les Foufounes Electriques [read as the 'Electric Pubic Hair'] Montreal PQ
got to the show just 'round the time the doors were opening and realized that I'd forgotten the 'Spectacular' Phil Spector compilation I'd made for the guys (Tim) as a cheer-up of sorts, you know, loosing or in the process of loosing the house. no problem. we found a spot only 2 blocks from the door. I must have stood and stared at both the cd and my keys inside my car for a good 2 minutes thinking "this is not happening ... stuck in a strange town, speaking the minute amount of French I do... I'll deal with this after the show."
inside.
seeing everything as it was last year just added to the weight of anticipation. that and being a meagre 5' 6" I knew I had to carve out a nook somewhere close if I was to see much at all. but all in good time. float around and check out the merch table and recognize the TubRing guys too (walked in late the year before to them surfing/abusing keyboards). fetch a soda and take the tour upstairs. the little balcony around the stage was already jammed with people. rats. looks like i'm fighting for turf down there...
METRIK
duo of drum and bass proportions. neato. the drummer was cracking me up with his running on the spot double bass drumming with head swivelling and add three dropped sticks in a 30 minute set and you get the idea. the bassist slapped out the goodness with thigh defining spandex tights of fury. 2 wirey guys that had a thick-enough sound for it being just the two of them .. and the bassist had a sampler too, I think.
TubRing
wacky goodness with a handful of their own true fans singing along and even got on the mic to let everyone else know. high-octane for the most part. nice to finally see them. kept hoping to hear their cover of 'everything's ruined' just for comparison's sake. it never came. Had a really hard time understanding the gibberish coming from the vocalist. They all had their own quirky little things that helped convince some none believers that at least THEY were into the show. but Montreal crowds usually give love to anyone that rocks them. that or the dozen or so moshers who needed no instigating, or music to keep them going.
pause
my buddy tells me that while in the bathroom 2 chicks come up beside him and start writting on the wall with marker. we don't hesitate to just spark the hash joint then and there -- it IS that type of place.
Estradashpere
sndchk
what the fuck is wrong with the upright?!
a little less dist. guit. in this monitor .. a little more violin in this, and in this if it's a seperate mix.... anyways, you've all been here too.
WE'LL BE BACK ON IN 2 MINUTES
Timb seemed to have the most problems. or took the biggest puffs. There was plenty helpful discussion to the sndguy to try to iron out the problems early on. once they had that ironed out some of the crowd had drunk the courage to constantly yell at the band .. i was looking for the chicken wire to shoot up. and the skethcy guy that didn't leave the corner of the bathroom .. (or happened to be there each of the 4 times I went)
I'll try to sketch out the setlist but my groove shoes were on and where's my pen? you know, in the car of course with the rest of my life at the time. open - hungerstrike .. Timb shakes off his solo, Tim takes it. at this point I'll give you an idea because I lost track.. the transformation -- the princes of 'xibalba' (minus Los Dias Sin Dias) -- some of Randy's -- Mikapses Vitonisa (a personal HIGHlight) -- dapper bandits (sounds good without narration too) -- millenium child -- silent elk -- meteorite showers -- a very intense battle -- there may have been, probably have been .. at least streched out beyond recognition .. but probably new stuff I haven't heard yet.
Finally got to witness BODY SLAM!! in all of its 6' 8", 180lbs., short-short wearing goodness. a must see for anyone who's had a passion for the squared-circle.
this is where they got their mics pulled. one more of the ISS ditties .. dedicated to the drunk beside me, you should have seen the look Tim shot him before the dedication .. oww.
how could I forget! the Whooley orchestrated sing along section and his leading the moshing (?!) crowd thru a Zelda sing-a-long.
grabbed the new Woo and ISS while I could.
back outside my friends and I swindle the CAA (our twin of AAA) to pop my doors for me ... here's the rub, the first thing I do is grab the PS cd and think what could have been ... as they toot by in their van .. followed by the old bearded dude that was rocking out front and center in a pick up truck right behind.
aside from my teen mello-drama episode .. a great night.
the following review by "Phydeaux_3", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Well, it was a bit of fiasco to be quite honest. As always an amazing performance, these guys always melt my brain everytime I hear them play. The whole show was less than an hour. Ottawa has this retarded 11:00 no noise bi-law, so we were told to vacate the premises at that time. The single lonely set was plagued by sound issues, something was horribly wrong & it kept feeding back so loud I thought everyone's ears were going to bleed. Then John lost his mic. Then Timb's violin self-destructed. All in all a God-awfull show. I admire their persistence, they sure tried hard to keep the train a rollin', but you could tell they were getting as frustrated as the rest of us.
Some jerk-ass heckler yells "What a LOUSY soundboard guy!" to which came the witty rejoinder from the soundboard guy "What a LOUSY audience member!". I mean c'mon, give the guy a break, he's not up there to try and make a lousy sounding show, as it turned out it had nothing to do with him.
John Whooley was manning the merch table after the show, I went & bought Whoolilicios from him & got it signed, he introduced me to his sweety Moriah who the CD is dedicated to. Then I got my Buck Fever CD signed by John & Tim and went looking for Jason & the others. I got all 5 signatures on the CD. These guys are really great for chatting up the fans, I asked David about his future plans, told him I was sad to see him go, said he wants to do more production type stuff, not make a living outta playing drums. Too bad really, this man is a MONSTER on a kit.
I videotaped the whole show from a countertop at the back of the (VERY small) room, looks like it turned out great, I'll write down the complete setlist after I've transfered it to VHS, Only songs I can remember offa the top of my head are Meteorite Showers, The Silent Elk Of Yesterday, Summer Of '69, Turtle Power song, Dapper Bandits, & a buncha Mario stuff including that "down the pipe" music (do-do do-do do-do..).
I had a great time & wouldn't have missed it for all tea in China, I just really really hope that if they come around here next tour that they play in Hull, at least Quebec doesn't have that idiotic fucking 11:00 rule in place & maybe the boys can play us into the wee hours the way I know they love to do. I brought 2 camcorder batteries & was ascared that I'd run outta juice, no fear of that, when I hit the stop recording button the first battery was still FULL! Glad I bought a 4-pack of blanks. D'oh!!
Know what else is funny? I spent like a day and a half whipping up a Buckethead costume (really good one too!) which I was going to slip into between sets, so much for that idea, there was only one set. No frikkin' encore either, I really feel cheesed about the length of the show, but I know that if they'd had their druthers they woulda played a LOT more for us.
All in all, for $7 it was still one HELLUVA value, I'd pay twice that easy & still be happy. Tim did this one "Ooo baby honey baby sweety baby.." type song that was REALLY funny, I'm sure it was a stream-of-consciousness thing where he was just improvising & voicing whatever fell out, those could not have been penned lyrics.
I give Estradasphere a 10 outta 10. I give Club Saw(ed-off) a _ outta 10. That place was the size of a fucking coat-room. There has GOT te be a better place around here for them to play next time here.
Anyway, I'm going to transfer the tape to VHS & compile a setlist proper now. Here's hoping Toronto gets a full-length show AND that somebody bootlegs it.
the following review by Eric Canchola, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
this was probably THE best show i have ever been to in my life, and i have seen alot of shows. it's 3:30am right now and my ears are still buzzing from the music. i need sleep but i had to write this first, while it is still fresh. they put on a performance that just blew me away. the abbey pub was the perfect place, nice and cozy, to check them out up close. the guys were very cool to talk to. i offered them a place to stay, with my own plan of getting them to listen to me on my drums then hire me as their new drummer, but they already had somewhere to go. oh well. i had a good conversation with pretty much each of the members, and even got them all to sign my cd! WOOOO! this was dave's LAST show. i'm glad i got to see him, he will be missed. i wish i would have seen them more times, this was my first. i really hope to see them again. good luck in everything you guys do. even with finding a new place to stay. and with finding a new drummer. i hope to stay in touch with this band.
sincerly, eric canchola
loyal fan forever
the following review by "Lou D", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
The day after Estradasphere's last show with Dave as their drummer. It was at the Abbey Pub, my first time there, and it definitely won't be my last. Incredible club set-up and sound. For a band as diverse instrument-wise as Estradasphere, the mix was nearly flawless. The band was perfect--no missed notes, beautiful improvised solos including parts of songs on "Buck Fever" with completely different rhythm parts by Tim and Jason. Dave's drum solos were phenomenal--speedy double bass for metal and sweet taps on the ride cymbal for jazz. The band's vocal harmonies are very comparable to those of the Beach Boys--and they showcased this ability by opening up the set with a semi-acapela version of "In My Room" with just Jason on guitar. From there they tore the place down with versions of "Dapper Bandits", "Silent Elk", "Meteorite Showers" with a dash of "Mario 1", and a mind-blowing version of "Very Intense Battle". They ended with what Timb described as a song they've always played with Dave, "Hunger Strike". One song medley was said to have never been done before. Cover songs included "Knight Rider", "Summer of '69", and a sweet little bluegrass tune. Dave's drum solo towards the end of "Hunger Strike" was pretty intense--both musically and on the faces of the band, as it was probably the last song they would ever play with Dave again. In that respect, it seems like Chicago stole something that Santa Cruz deserved to have--Estradasphere as a collective band's last show. But I'm grateful I got to see it and the 5:45 A.M. arrival back at school didn't even phase me, since I was still in awe of the show. Perhaps the only two words I could say to Tim after the show sums up things best: "Simply Incredible".
the following review by Randy Moore, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
It turned out much better than we could all have hoped for. They opened with a traaditional Gypsy song called "Serba" which kept getting faster and faster. I don't remember the order of the songs, but they played Powerhouse, Lasting Impressions, Hungerstrike>>> Turkish>>>> Yitonitsa, Crystal Blue, King Solomon>>>Juicy Fruit commercial, Mario Waterworld, Whooloicious style vocal harmony jam (Awesome song in which they kept repeating "Dubway"), Bad Doggy segment(with Poochie pie improve).There was probably one more that I dont' remember.
There were about 200 people there (Smaller than the usual LA audience because of the time), but the crowd LOVED it. Everyone looked like they were bored, but at the end of every song they all started screaming!
Chris parsons did a great job on sound and even had his own FB solo (Strong Work Chris), and Nikki did a great job selling things.
The people that didn't go because there was no drummer should have had a little more faith. The show was awesome, beautiful, and well composed. Definitly a unique and rare experience. I was impressed.
the following review by MARTIAN PUMPKIN, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
WHAT A SHOW! IT WAS A THING OF BEAUTY! THE BAND PULLED IT OFF IN FINE FORM. THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING SHOWS EVER. THE ENERGY IN THE ROOM WAS ELECTRIC. THE NEW SONGS WERE INCREDIBLE AND THE FUNK WAS FAR OUT. ALL AND ALL A STELLAR PERFORMANCE.
GUEST DRUMMER, THEO DID A BANG-UP JOB FILLING IN ON THE SKINS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT HE HAD JUST MET SOME OF THE GUYS EARLIER THAT DAY!
ESTRADASPHERE ROLLED THROUGH A POWER-PACKED FIRST SET THAT INCLUDED FAVORITES LIKE "METEORITE SHOWERS" AND "RANDY'S DESERT ADVENTURE". THE AUDIENCE WAS TREATED WITH BACK TO BACK COVERS OF "SUMMER OF 69" AND "IN MY ROOM". AFTER A FEW NEW SONGS, THE BOYS TOOK A BRIEF BREAK.
THE FIRST HALF OF THE SECOND SET WAS INTENSELY MELLOW AND VERY MOVING. JOHN DEDICATED A COVER OF DISNEY'S "SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS" TO HIS NEPHEW. JASON'S STIRRING NEW SONG WAS INTRODUCED AND THE PACKED HOUSE AT THE KFLA WAS IN TRANCE. THEO RETURNED TO THE STAGE FOR A FUN FILLED VERSION OF "BUCK FEVER" WHICH GAVE A CHARGE TO THE TRANQUIL CROWD. THE BAND FINISHED THEIR SHOW ON A HIGH NOTE AS THE CROWD SCREAMED AND STOMPED THEIR FEET, HOPING FOR ONE MORE SONG.
OUR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WITH A MUCH NEEDED DOSE OF METAL MAYHEM IN THE FORM OF "BODY SLAM", A SONG THAT IS A CERTIFIABLE "HIT" WAITING TO HAPPEN! THE MOSH PIT CAME TO LIFE, AS ESTRADASPHERE UNLEASHED THEIR UNIQUE BLEND OF POWER AND PRECISION. EVEN "SHEEPMAN"(THE BAND'S SELF-PROCLAIMED MASCOT) WAS INSPIRED TO DO A STAGE DIVE.
AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE BY A RELENTLESS GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO THEIR FANS AND A CITY THAT LOVES THEM. THANX AGAIN GUYS, YOU RULE!
MARTIAN PUMPKIN
the following review by Karl Schnaitter, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
I like the new songs! it's been a while since they've written songs that really turned my head... jay's song, the funk one, and sirba (original??) were all really cool.
yeah, so considering everything, theo did well. especially good job on the new songs, body slam, and randy's. buck fever and xibalba were pretty good as well. his mistakes were just from being new, so they aren't a huge issue. I thought that meteorite needed to be worked on the most, and I mean in a non-mistake oriented sense. for one thing, the feel seemed pretty bad to me during the vocal section... it was very rock-y. people say that dave would try to do too much and theo was more capable of keeping things simple when he needed to, but I would say the opposite here. theo was playing all these trplets on the hi hat that seemed out of place to me. there were some other key points in the drums where theo changed the feel, and it kinda bothers me to hear that. not because it's different from dave, but because it's different from the feel of the underlying composition and the rest of the band.
and the other thing is the "solid" aspect of the drums. The band really likes it, and I can understand why. it's a lot more fun to play when you don't have to worry about the drummer messing up the tempo. I can appreciate the solid aspect of the drums too; one of my favorite drummers is also one of the most solid I've heard. but for estradasphere, I would like to see them get a looser drummer than theo. dave was willing to risk the tempo for the sake of some really crazy pattern, and I think that fits the music really well. tim was saying that dave's dynamics were uneven... I think that's good! since when is estradasphere about playing accurately? maybe some will say since now. if so, maybe theo is the right guy, and I would be interested to see how the band changes. it's possible that if they change to a rock solid band, I will still like the music. but I already know that I like them as a loose band. I say that it ain't broke, so there's definitely no need to fix it. they don't need a solid drummer, at least from my point of view. I guess i'm just nervous about my favorite band making a big stylistic change.
sorry, i'm still grieving...
the following review by Steve Yockey, posted on rec.music.progressive
Saw two excellent shows from Estradasphere this week. If you don't know this band, you should, as they are ridiculously talented and epitomize "progressive" in the best sense of the word. See <http://www.estradasphere.com>, although be warned that the promo medley does not do the band justice. This band must be seen live to be properly digested.
Both shows were amazing and completely different experiences. Sunday night at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco featured the full band in all of its usual glory veering from intricate progressive-gypsy to metal to video game to surf to the unclassifiable. This complex music was executed with the usual precision by musicians
Timb Harris - violin, trumpet, mandolin, vocals
Jason Schimmel - guitar (lots of them), banjo, vocals
Tim Smolens - upright/electric bass, vocals
John Whooley - saxophones, winds, accordion, vocals
and a temporary drummer whose name escapes me....
to an enthusiastic and fairly sizable crowd for a Sunday night. About the only instrument we didn't see Sunday was the accordion! And what's more, they know how to play their instruments--all of them. Yes, Timb Harris works his violin as flawlessly as his mandolin and the above list doesn't even include guitar the occasionally plays. The other 3 band regulars demonstrate similar virtuosity--there are simply no weaknesses in this band. I only hope they can find a permanent drummer who can hold his own with these guys. Notice "vocals" next to each name? Well rather than the cringe inducing vocals sometimes found in prog music, these shows featured innovative vocal arrangements, chock full of harmonizing and interplay, culminating in the vocals-as-instrument, thoroughly compelling "Dubway," which I suppose could be loosely described as progressive-hip-hop?! (I hate hip-hop but loved this...) Since I wouldn't know how to do it, I don't think I'll try describing their sound any more than I
already have.
The Tuesday show at Blake's in Berkeley was very different as they were in a configuration I'd never seen before, being drummerless and all acoustic (and yes, they even managed to pull off an unplugged "body slam" (their hardcore death metal number)). Their musicianship really came through in that setting as they veered into jazz territory several times complete with extended solos from all in addition to the usual tight interplay. Hearing the Super Mario theme
morph into a jazz tour de force is something to behold. The vibe Tuesday night was great as the must-dance-to-everything jam-band crowd stayed home and the band insisted the few of us in attendance move our tables up to the front of the stage. Their stage presence and ability to connect with the audience is something most prog bands could take a lesson from, even if it should just be "all about the music". There isn't an ounce of pretentiousness amongst this group of young, playfully goofy, birkenstock-wearing virtuosos. They make the show fun for everyone, including the girlfriend/wife you usually leave at home. If I have one complaint (and I don't really), it would only be that maybe they spend a little less time with the slightly gimmicky surf and down-home mountain music which, although extremely well executed, doesn't hold my interest so much, even if it does serve as a breather between the more interesting pieces.
So, in conclusion...
See this band! You will not be disappointed (unless of course you think of "prog" as only the 70's heavies and their latter-day clones and dislike everything else).
They are currently touring California.
the following review by MARTIAN PUMPKIN, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
FUN ON A MONDAY. A MELLOW BUT EXCITING SET. STARTED OUT WITHH "CHIPS" . THEO WAS IN FINE FORM. HE REALLY ADDS A LOT WITH HIS STYLISH FILLS. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE TIMBA CUT OFF HIS MANE. OH, WELL LONG LIVE THE LONGHAIRS!
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED "PRINCES OF XIIBALBA", "DAPPER BANDITS" AND "DUBWAY". IT WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. GOOD CROWD, GREAT TUNES-STRONG WORK...
...LOOKING FORWARD TO FAIS DO DO!
the following review by MARTIAN PUMPKIN, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
L.A. KICKED ASS! I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE GREAT TURNOUT ON THE 10TH. FOR A THURSDAY NIGHT IN THAT PART OF TOWN...VICTORY!
THIS WAS A PHENOMENAL SHOW. THE BAND WAS IN TOP FORM. IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER ALL THE SONGS PLAYED THAT NIGHT AND I WAS THERE WHEN THEY MADE THE SET LIST...SOMEONE PLEASE POST A PROPER SET LIST.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST SET INCLUDED "THE DAPPER BANDITS" COMPLETE WITH "BACK IN BLACK" IN THE MIDDLE. TIM WAS THE FUNKMASTER, DISPLAYING HIS THUMB SLAPPING PROWESS.LOOKOUT BOOTSY!
"FROSTOR" AND "HARDBALL" WERE PEPPERED WITH TASTY JAMS THAT HAD US ALL IN AWE OF THIS BAND'S INCREDIBLE TALENT.
JASON WAS ON FIRE, BLAZING THE FRETBOARD ON HIS NEW FENDER TELECASTER DURING "NOOTCH" (I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED) ECHOES OF MIKE McCREADY FILLED MY EARS AND I WAS TRANSPORTED INTO ANOTHER WORLD. JASON HAS BECOME MY FAVORITE GUITARIST HANDS DOWN AND I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE GREATEST.
"THE TRANSFORMATION", "JOHNSON BOYS", "KING SOLOMON","RANDY'S DESERT ADVENTURE"... SO MANY OUTSTANDING MOMENTS. YES, THERE WERE A FEW MISTAKES, BUT THAT'S EASY TO ACCEPT WHEN THESE GUYS PLAY WITH SUCH INTENSITY. "BODY SLAM" KICKED THE SHOW INTO FULL GEAR AS THE MOSH PIT ERUPTED AROUND ME.
THIS IS THE SONG THAT TAKES THE CAKE FOR ME, IT NEVER FAILS TO CREATE A FRENZY. JOHN WAS IN FRONTMAN MODE AS HELD THE MIC OVER THE SCREAMING GOONIES.
AFTER A BRIEF BREAK, THE SECOND SET STARTED OFF WITH THE REGGAE RENDITION OF "FAME" . THEO GOT RIGHT INTO IT AND THE GROOVE WAS IRIE MON. TIM TOOK CENTER STAGE AND GAVE US A PREVIEW OF THAT BOY BAND CHARM WITH "SHE'S A GIRL" (I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED) THERE WAS SOME VIDEO GAME STUFF AND A LITTLE "DUBWAY"...AFTER THE FIRE SPINNERS, IT ALL STARTS TO BLUR.
THIS WAS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ESPHERE SHOWS. NOT SINCE THE LAST TROUBADOUR SHOW HAS THERE BEEN THIS MUCH ESTRADASPHERIC ENERGY. TIMBA'S VIOLIN SOLOS WERE VIVID. THEO'S SOLO HAD HIM ON HIS FEET. TIM TOOK IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND JOHN AND JASON WERE CUTTING HEADS.
A NIGHT OF PURE AND HONEST ENTERTAINMENT.
MC WHEELS, GEORGE THE READER, FIRESPINNERS, GROOVY GOTH PEOPLE AND EVEN SHEEPMAN-THANKS L.A.-YOU KICK ASS!
the following review by Karl Schnaitter, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
The show overall was really good I thought. they seemed to have a lot of fun, the setlist was well-balanced, and yes nicole, timb just seems to be getting better and better. for me personally, I didn't get into it that much... to say I'm jaded would be an understatement. I really enjoyed the sirba, though.
the percussionist guy was pretty skilled, but kinda boring to listen to. and something sounded wrong with his bluegrass... I think it's the strong downbeats on the tambourine that he was playing. It didn't have the right feel. It's also true that he had difficulty with the greek tune, but I understand why. when the melody is going on, it's really important for the drummer to tune out the band and just concentrate on the basic four-note pattern. the melody and bass are doing such complicated timings that a simple drum part is really needed. conveniently, the drum part won't come off sounding simple at all because of everything getting all convoluted by the other instruments. it's the EXACT same problem that theo had with hardball at the last day saloon show in september. and it has the exact same solution, except that the pattern is not nearly as simple as mekapses yitonisa. what happens is the pitched instruments SOUND like they are playing new and different rhythms, when it's really all the same in foundation, and the drums, being the foundation of the timing aspects of a song, need to stick to the same rhythm. instead, the drummer/percussionist feels the need to make a change.... possibly to avoid sounding like he's playing the wrong part. but in fact when the drums stay the same, it sounds really good and it's a lot easier to play to.
Tobacco Patch is nothing to get excited about... at least yet. just a melody and a chord progression drawn out in the usual way with solos and stuff. from what the band said, it sounds like a work in progress. I would like to hear some more progressive tunes, but that's just karl. rumor has it there is a lot more new music in the works, including some good metal. i'm guessing the upcoming tour has a lot of potential to be a good turning point.
the following review by Karl Schnaitter, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
three new old songs were played tonight- mario waltz, police squad, and ciocarlia (real name ah ya bibi) the show was a lot better and a lot more fun than sunday night. actually, this was the best show I've seen in a long time. Jason had a really good show- he had anamazing solo on mario 2 and a great chord solo on police squad. The drummer/percussionist still has no idea what's going on most of the time. and esphere's stage presence reached a new low. especially john; that guy is a psycho.
the following review by Barry, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
This show is all ready to upload, once there is a spot open on the server the process shall begin.
setlist.txt follows:
PROCESS: Recorded live to minidisc through Steve the Taper's setup (audience), -> PC via 24k Gold male/male connectors, -> GoldWave for brief editing, -> CDWave for sector splits, -> 192k/sec mp3
SETLIST: [thanks to Karl]
12/05/2002 Starry Plough, Berkeley, CA
1: Hardball>> The Silent Elk of Yesterday, Meteorite Showers*, King Soloman, King Krab Battle**, Dubway, Body Slam
Part of FARMERSPHERE mini-tour. w/ Farmers Market and Peoples Bizzare.
* ends after vocals
** groovy part only
DETAILS:
Track 01: Hardball -
0:00 -> 2:45 = Head / Theme
2:45 -> 4:15 = Drum Solo [Theo] (*)
4:15 -> 5:28 = Theme Reprise
5:28 -> 7:36 = Horn Solo [John]
7:36 -> 9:51 = Riff Passaround + Fade Out / Fade In
9:51 -> 13:03 = Violin Solo [Timba]
13:03 -> 15:37 = Finale
(*) - The first of two outstanding solos from Mr. Theo on this night. Not just excellent for a drum solo, but excellent for a solo of any nature.
Track 02: The Silent Elk of Yesterday -
0:00 -> 3:45 = Song (*)
3:45 -> 4:45 = Tune ups (**)
(*) - At approximately 1:47, John's microphone cuts off [not even the first sound problem on this show, as feedback can clearly be heard in several places during Hardball, bringing to mind the Shitty Soundman / Shitty Audience Member of 3/26/02 Ottawa], and the song is performed without vocals - an interesting switch for a gradually aging song.
(**) - Yet another Theo Rehearsal Wisecrack at 4:13
Track 03: Meteorite Showers -
0:00 -> 3:06 = Instrumental Head / Theme
3:06 -> 4:51 = Horn Solo [John] (*)
4:51 -> 6:46 = Drum Solo [Theo] (**)
6:46 -> 7:47 = Theme Reprise
7:47 -> 10:26 = Vocals
(*) - Great solo, but check out that funky rhythm section. Theo's itching for another chance to shine, and...
(**) ...he gets it. Holy jumpbutt. John gives up his moment in the spotlight, realizing that there is a drumming demon begging to be released. And his name is Theo.
Track 04: Tune up and Chatter -
0:00 -> 1:01 = Tuning up
Track 05: King Soloman -
0:00 -> 4:13 = Song
Track 06: King Crab Battle -
0:00 -> 0:28 = Groovy Rave Up
0:28 -> 2:21 = Head / Theme
2:21 -> 6:41 = Guitar / Effects Pedal Solo [Jason] (*)
6:41 -> 7:41 = Theme Reprise
7:41 -> 9:11 = Tune ups
(*) - Interesting to hear how the [accidental] feedback at 4:54 influences Jason's solo. Or maybe I'm just strange.
Track 07: Dubway -
0:00 -> 4:57 = Song
4:57 -> 6:11 = Chatter (*)
(*) - How many times have I seen Estradasphere? This show was my fourth.
Track 08: Body Slam
0:00 -> 1:46 = Intro (*)
1:46 -> 3:13 = Guitar Solo [Jason]
3:13 -> 4:46 = Finale
4:46 -> 5:38 = Chatter
(*) - Just listen to that poor sound system trying to cope with the onslaught of the Body Slam. Ouch.Recorded LIVE to Minidisc (LP2) via the Steverig (AUD). Thanks to Steve for letting me plug into his big ol' rig, thanks to Nicole for promising a ride, thanks to Lauren for actually giving aforementioned ride.
the following review by "hotchkiss", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
i just got back from kfla!! the 45 min. drive home didn't even stop my head from spinning (in a good way). this was the best show i have EVER seen. and i've seen a lot of shows in my timelotusfear (my first time seeing them) put on a very nice and enjoyable first set, they made a new fan. i really enjoyed space mountain and the song for people who like math.
farmers then came out, all dressed in suits. they were even more amazing then the last two times i saw them (which was winstons and the che). words can't even describe what a farmers market set is like. the ones that come close are, wow, whoa, holy shit, what the fuck!, and are these guys human?
then the all mighty e-sphere took the stage. they opened with the reggae version of fame (the movie, not bowie). they then proceded to rock my ass so much, that i can't remember the set in order. i know they did king krab battle, with a very funny king krab dance from timba, hardball and the matal part of SEOY. then came the greatest moment ever. FARMESPHERE! the memory is so fresh in my mind, but i can't go on with the review. i'm still in awe!
the following review by "UCSDementia", posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Simply amazing. For SEOY, Stian pulled out a crazy "Darth Vader" intro with his accordian, and then did a two-handed solo with Jason as John worked the bellows.
Other songs were a decent (Che was better) version of Dubway, Lasting Impressions, and Sirba (?) from Farmersphere. And BodySlam, where Whooley had a Mexican Wrestling outfit on under his clothes the entire show and Monster Murray came back (but had to read off the sheet music for Theo) [Actually that was DM's joke. - Ed.].
The show was excellent. Wonderful. I want MP3s and I want it on the DVD.
The only downside during the whole show was some wierdo in a sheep suit screaming behind me the whole time...
the following review by MARTIAN PUMPKIN, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
LONG LIVE FARMERSPHERE...
THE BEST ESPHERE SHOW EVER!!! FARMER'S MARKET ARE MUSICAL MONSTERS AND YET THEY REMAIN HUMBLE...I WAS AS IMPRESSED BY THEIR GOOD VIBES AS I WAS WITH THERE UNBELIEVABLE TALENT.STRONG WORK RANDY, THIS WAS A FEAT.
FM MADE ME PROUD TO BE A SCANDANAVIAN VIKING
ESTRADASPHERE REALLY STEPPED UP AND BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE. THANX FOR THE SEOY TIMBA!
HARDBALL ROCKED, FARMERSPHERE RULED AND BODY SLAM IS THE ULTIMATE WRESTLING ANTHEM, LET'S GET IT TO VINCE McMAHON AND THE WWE.
THIS WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, L.A. CAME OUT IN FULL FORCE. POCO-THE STREET TEAM IS WORKING, THIS SHOW PROVED IT.I WAS SHOCKED AND DELIGHTED TO SEE CAMERAS AT THE KFLA.
LOOKING FORWARD TO DEC. 28th WITH DR.MADDVIBE
A.K.A.-ANGELO MOORE...TREMENDOUS JOB L.A.
P.S.- DON'T MIND THE WEIRDO IN THE SHEEP SUIT, HE IS THE UNOFFICIAL L.A. MASCOT OF ESTRADASPHERE AND HIS ZEAL IS BEYOND MEASURE FOR HIS FAVORITE BAND...HE IS A PART OF THE ESPHERE FABRIC SO GET USED TO SHEEPMAN, HE MEANS NO HARM...(UNLESS OF COURSE YOU ARE AN EVIL VILLIAN!)
PS- THANX A MILLION MR. MURRAY FOR BLESSING US WITH A SONG, IT MADE MY DAY...LONG LIVE TRON!
the following review by Chip Yamada, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Kuumbwa was a great show!
maybe it was the full moon, or Winter's Solstice, or Farmer's influence, or George's hot-tub,
but the Magic was back!
The boys played ampless, with either John or Jason on the drum/box thing. They opened with In My Room, as crisp and clean as a velveteen, then spun into a medley of sorts incorporating Serba (renamed criole?), Mekapsis, some Loving words from John, some snide remarks from Timmy, a great Lasting Impressions with vocal jam between Tim and John really working, some bluegrass into Nirvana bluegrass "territorial pissings", a few tunes i've never heard, Timb's gypsy stylings are getting to be so good i lose my breathe,
the band was TIGHT.
the vocals were sweet and RIGHT.
--anyway, Mark got the complete set-list
a beautiful performance from beginning to end.
the following review by Fritz, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Okay, here we go.
DAMN.
I can and will rant about this band until I'm blue in the face. If you don't like them, then I strongly suspect that you're allergic to music.
This was the boys' first Texas gig for this little tour, and... whoa.
At first I was planning to just go to the show at Austin, due to my work hours. But, with a little insistence from Matt, I gave in to pressure and traveled to SA to see them do a full set.
The energy that was apparent at the San Diego show was manifesting itself in straaaaaaaaaaange new ways with shows like this. Once again, it was a "rotating dictator" theme, since the band did not bring a setlist with them to this show.
For the record, all of San Antonio sucks. I think the total number of people there was sixteen, and I'm being generous. Me, my three friends, Steve, Mark, Barry, Adrianna, Chris, the bartender, and assorted yokels. This is criminal and you know it.
BUT that gave the show an intimate feel and it came across wonderfully. At the beginning I cracked a joke to one of my friends about how I wanted nothing more than to see them cover "Crazy Train" by Ozzy over and over. Be careful what you wish for...
I don't know what it was, but this show had a very unique vibe to it. The band gave us stellar renditions of both old and new songs, and crammed so many covers in it was dizzying. And then they went nuts.
John opened up the night with a nice little bout of throat-chanting. After that (this is not the official order)...
Narodnokolo - I love it when new stuff is just as awesome as the old stuff.
Say Your Prayers (On the Landing Strip) - Ahhhhh. Instrumental prowess in spades, my friends. A wonderful tune. Apparently the title of this keeps changing, although I think the "Say Your Prayers" is an apt title considering how crazy it gets at the end. The "Landing Strip" is a reference to a strip club in Austin. Not the most posh gentlemen's club, mind you, but certainly owner of one of the best names...
Nutch - What? You're tired of hearing it? I'm not. I don't live in an area where I can hear this song over and over. Great tune.
Sirba - Ditto.
Meteorite Showers - Nice. The band stretched out for a little on this one.
Dapper Bandits - Same here. No metal parts for this one, Jason didn't have his metal guitar rigged up on a stand so he could run over and strum it that once (you know the part)
Tim also sang a song for his girlie, Laurie, who was in attendance for this show. Unfortunately my ignorance of romance songs keeps me from remembering what it was. It was very sweet.
There was a bad ass Theo drum solo somewhere in the night. It might've been during Meteorite Showers... not too sure though.
Here are the covers:
Piggies - Jason's Beatle homage continues! This version was done sans Timb's mandolin because he felt that it was not tuned correctly and would therefore disgrace the memory of Paul. He's dead, you know. Additional snorks courtesy of John. In place of the mandolin, Timb whistled the parts. It gave a very reflective, "I'm in my garden/Andy Griffith" feel to it that was nice.
Don't Stop Me Now - This was originally a very bad Queen song... but in the hands of Estradasphere it becomes a very BADASS song. During this song John leapt off the stage, tackled one of my friends, jumped on the bar, hugged the bartender, picked up adrianna while she was still in her chair, and harrassed Chris in the sound booth, ALL THE WHILE SINGING THE SONG.
Walk Like an Egyptian
Come Out N' Play
Doogie Howser
Take on Me
Material girl - ha ha. This band can do no wrong.
ENCORE - GARAGE-ASPHERE!!!!!
After John's "Don't Stop Me Now", Tim explained to the audience that what had just happened with John running around and messing with everyone in the bar gave the performance a "GBV" or "Garage Band Vibe."
Apparently this is bad to do all the time.
But the band does not do that all the time.
And for their first encore, they came out and totally fucked shit up old school, just like a band messing around in their garage would do. John got on guitar and started playing a funk riff, Timb got on bass and popped out some fat ones, Jason got on drums and beat the shit out of them, and THEO got on the mic and started making shit up. And then, in quite possibly the funniest thing I will see this year, I saw Tim attempt to play Timb's violin, then his trumpet, and finally John's sax. To call it a joyful noise would be an understatement.
And then, after that was over, I called out "METAL!!!!!!" which may or may not have prompted the band to launch into a SILENT ELK MEDLEY!!!
Yes, friends, Jason picked up that there metal gee-tar and played some pretty hot lixx.
The garage spirit refused to die, and then the song turned into these other classics of rock:
Crazy Train - I literally shit a brick and cursed myself for not betting my friends money that they would've played this.
Back in Black - Theo once again took vocals! He was so excited when he heard Jason play the part that he got up from the drums and grabbed the mic! The quick-thinking John hopped on the drums and they were off. Theo ripped it up, and had the band laughing so hard that they all passed out (Tim fell off the stage at one point) and the night ended with them dogpiling on each other on the stage. Followed with apologies to us homophobic Texans.
All in all, an awesome night. The band was having fun, and made us all laugh ourselves to hyperventilation and groove groove groove. A good warm up, I suppose, for the Odessa show, which I was expecting to have even less of a turnout than San Antonio, but who'da thunk it?
Tomorrow is the Austin SXSW, which will be short, sweet, and taped by MTV.
This band can do no wrong. Each time I see them they outdo themselves and always always remind me of why I fell in love with them in the first place. There's still plenty of magic left in THIS relationship, believe you me.
the following review by Travis Langdon, posted on Jambase
from a larger review called "Waste Not, Want Not: SXSW has it All."
Later that night we ended up at the Elysium to check out a band from Santa Cruz, California called Estradasphere, who played at SxSW as part of a mini-tour through Texas supporting their most recent album, It's Understood. [Actually BF is more recent. - Ed.] This insanely talented band has come up with a sound that blends, twists and defies any sort of classification the music industry would like to pin on music.
Like a schizophrenic whirlwind, these guys will move from classically-composed thrash-rock, to a pop cover from the '80s, to Middle Eastern trancejam, to throwback jazz grooves. Saxophonist John Whooley proved to be quite the showman as he was seen jumping into the crowd, stripping down into a one-piece leotard and even picking up Tim Smolens' bass so that the low man could take a spin on lead vocals for a song. Guitarist Jason Schimmel ripped throughout the set, all the way to the closing number that started with the line from The Offspring's "Keep it Separated" but morphed into a high-speed Russian Klezmer jam instead of the lyrics. This innovative band is definitely worth checking out.
the following review by Matt, posted on Austin360
from a larger review called "A Shack Shaken, Toomey's A Charmer and Estradasphere Can Do Anything ... Anything!"
10:57 p.m.: Made it to the Elysium for Estradasphere. It's "badges only," but not terribly overcrowded once you get inside. Never been here before. Very goth. Very cool. I generally enjoy a little more light in the bathrooms, but hey … why quibble?
11 p.m.: Estradasphere … a motley crew if ever I saw one … opens the set with something instrumental and jazzy. Cool, but … eh.
11:09 p.m.: They shift gears with a very serviceable version of the Beatle classic "Piggies." Fun. Short.
11:20 p.m.: It's amazing just how much these guys are on the same page musically. Violin, sax and guitar meshing flawlessly. Impressive musically. Stylistically, their smarmy '70s style "showmanship" helps make this jazzy stuff more accessible.
11:32 p.m.: Things are getting weird. The thing to realize about this band is that they can do everything well. A downshift to '50s doo-wop? Sure. Strings and sax renditions of Offspring's "Keep 'em Separated?" No problem. "Walk Like An Egyptian?" Of course. The point is, they shift gears constantly, and are serviceable … or better … within every genre.
11:40 p.m.: The sax player/vocalist strips down to a high school wrestling singlet as the band tears into "Body Slam," a mosh-rap number every bit as good as any mosh-rap number you've ever heard. The crowd members respond, slamming into each other as those over 30 (we break easily, after all) head to safer ground. It's hard to believe this is the same band. The set feels short, but it's over. Another mind-bender. SXSW is getting better all the time.
the following review by Fritz, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
Holy shit, dudes.
At last, the day arrived. Estradasphere at SXSW! As we waited for them to come on, I felt good about all the people there. The place was pretty crowded, and there were tons of people waiting outside when Estradasphere took to the stage. A ton of people where there, yelling, screaming, dancing, and singing along with the band.
This show hit hard and hit fast. The band stepped out and was no-nonsense from the get-go. Contrary to what people might think, bands get one hour for everything to set-up, play, and take down. So the most a band can squeeze out is like a forty minute set. The boys turned in a lean mean set of TEN songs in thirty-six minutes.
The energy flowing through them and the crowd was palpable. In the end, the brevity of the set was about the only negative thing about the show. I mean, now I have to drive to Houston on Sunday to get some sense of closure. Just kidding, I was going to it regardless.
Here is a rough setlist:
Buck Fever
Say Yr. Prayers - Wow, I really REALLY like this song.
Piggies
Narodnokolo - Free of the Egyptian/Play medley for now.
Hardball - Ahhhhhh yes. An excellent rendition. I was amazed at how tight the band had this song down.
Now It's Time To Die (?) aka Tim's Doo-wop -
Tim and John traded spots for Tim to step forward and sing to us while wearing a VERY tight playboy T-shirt and some loose-fitting pants that revealed just a hint of green bikini briefs(!).
Crystal Blue - Yowza, John jumped into the crowd and was dancing with everyone while the rest of the boys were jamming onstage. This song has my favorite Jason solo in it. Hopefully it will crop up on their forthcoming album... What else happened during this song... Oh yeah, Tim's pants fell down more during this song
Walk Like an Egyptian/Come Out N' Play - For this show these two songs were freed from their usual spot of being stuck in the middle of Narodnokolo. Short n' sweet.
King Krab Battle (metal part only!) - probably my favorite song out of the set, everyone metalled out with Timb doing the latest dance craze, the Krab!
And, of course, the closer of closers...
Body Slam - John stripped down to a wrestling unitard and stepped off the stage and onto a sea of hands. This song also finally prompted the front to break out into a mosh pit.
Someone mentioned that they saw cameras. Those were to my knowledge the MTV2 cameras, and the band was giving them plenty of juicy bits.
Okay I'm tired must sleep now hope you enjoyed the review.............
the following review by Fritz, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
So, I'm sure the setlist will show up in the archive at some point. The setlist was devised by Barry and Steve! so it was most badass.
Let me say that Houston, the biggest city in Texas, was seriously lacking in audience for tonight. Oh, there were people there, and the boys managed to make forty people sound like 200, but come on. Surely someone in that fucking town has heard of Estradasphere. Maybe not. Lame.
Some of my friends that didn't go to any of their shows couldn't understand why I was seeing them multiple times. I really didn't have an answer for that. I just said, "Come with me and find out why" but it's their loss that they didn't go. Oh well, hopefully they will be back in the fall.
This was an awesome show. I saw Estradasphere three times this week and I got a different feeling out of all three shows. All of them were amazing, but for different reasons. San Antonio was loose and crazy, Austin was tight and muscular, and the Houston show was the best of both worlds. The crowd had a kinda Dallas death metal "We Heart Opeth" vibe to them but they eagerly lapped up everything the boys gave them, and there was plenty of metal at the end of the set to satisfy all the heshers. Estradasphere, as if it is a surprise to everyone, played the audience perfectly and had us all whooping and hollering and generally sounding like 200 people rather than forty-to-fifty.
I noticed for this show that everyone was given plenty of room for solos. Everyone except poor Tim. Come on, people, a ten-minute slap bass filibuster by Tim would make just about anybody's night. Think about it. Out of all of them, Jason had probably the most amount of time in the spotlight, but the metal kids certainly weren't complaining. Timb was on the trumpet almost as much as he was on the violin at this show.
Oh, what the hell, here's the setlist.
-King Krab Battle (sans metal part)
This next song is called...
-Hardball!
-Green Hill
-Sirba - I really enjoy how slowly this starts off now and builds. Gets everyone in the dancey mood by the end.
-Bulgarian Thang - So, the show archive sometimes has this listed at Narodnokolo, but the fact is that the band hasn't named the song yet so the show archive is (somehow) smoking crack. So, for this portion of the review, it will be known as the Bulgarian Thang, y'all. Segues into Walk Like An Egyptian into Come Out And Play and back into Walk Like an Egyptian before returning to the original theme.
-Say Your Prayers (aka Indian) - An apt title considering how crazy things get during the home stretch of the song.
-Timb's solo - yay! A sweet Timb violin solo. This morphed into a Turkish Techno Ending.
-Disco Time - Oh yeah.
-Crystal Blue
-Piggies - Some of that garage band attitude cropped back up in this song as Jason started improvising lines about why the band sucked and then it got very heavy before settling back down.
-Silent Elk of Yesterday
-King Krab Metal - I'm assuming this is the part of the song where the King Krab actually shows up. Along with Jungle Warfare, my favorite Esphere metal song. If you wanted to know that. The Krab was starting to catch on as John joined Timb with the Krab impressions, followed by many people in the audience.
-Dapper Bandits Metal Ending - It will always be Frostor to me.
-Encore 1: Body Slam -
JOHN: Okay, guys, what guitar did Jason just pick up? Was it the JAZZ guitar?
US: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
JOHN: Was it his ACOUSTIC guitar?
US: NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
JOHN: Was it his SEVEN STRING METAL GUITAR????
US: BLAAAAAAAAWWWWRRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWWWRRRGH!
Obviously meaning yes. Timb asked the sound guy at this time to throw all reason out the window and turn up both his and Jason's guitar to "Slayer" volume. And then the band proceeded to destroy the place.
Encore 2: Dubways - A nice acapella piece to chill the place out. Jason and John were beatboxing like there was no tomorrow while the rest of the band harmonized. Dubway, Subway, Dubway. And with that, it was over.A fantastic week. Their SXSW appearance was spectacular and each performance I saw left me wanting more. It was fun to have them stay with us, we were happy to help out.
Boys, thank you for all the nights of great music, and I hope we'll see you again soon.
Fritz
the following review by Mike Connor, Metro Santa Cruz
It's one thing to say that a band has "something for everyone," with said "everyone" being fans of Klezmer-Tinged Russian Straight-Legged Romps and the theme song of Beverley Hills 90210 alike. But it's another thing to say that one song has "something for everyone," with said romps and theme songs smashed up with some disco and a brain-splattering dose of death metal ... or something. To be honest, my memory of Estradasphere's Saturday night show at the Vets Hall is a little muddled up, as is my memory of every Estradasphere show I see. As anyone who's seen them knows, it's freakin' hard to keep up with these guys. I do remember live video of the band mixed with clips from Cabin Boy projected onto a screen, and "Walk Like an Egyptian" melting into "Keep 'Em Separated." I think they love the Beach Boys. All I know for sure is, they're shockingly talented and inventive and, well, pretty much totally insanely fearless in their musical forays. Look out for their new album, Quadrapus, and a slot in the upcoming Cabrillo Music Festival.
the following review by Christy, posted on Estradasphere Message Board
I had one of the most fun nights in Santa Cruz *ever* friday night! Thank you Poco!
Got to the Vets Hall as Exegesis got into their set and was sucked in immediately.
Exegesis is:
Nick Demopoulos- guitar
Danton Boller- bass, played in JMP
Greg Gonzalez- drummer, Jazz Mandolin Project
Matt Otto- Saxophonist
Taken from their website: "EXEGESIS is the belief that symbols, scientific thought, astronomical ideas, numerical ratios and conceptual art and architecture can be expressed in sound."
What they sounded like to me was minimalist prog rock, dnb and a little ska thrown in. They have some mp3s on their website, go check it out.
http://www.exegesisonline.com/
I really really liked them! The set had the feeling of intention akin to that show sts9 did as a side project (sorry cant remember the name). Hope we get to see these guys again soon for a longer duration, I was really bummed when they had to leave the stage.
The feeling of being bummed quickly wore off though when I saw the members of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum take the stage. I knew it would be interesting when I noticed that they were all wearing animal masks and had a female sheep playing violin... baaa indeed!
SGM is:
Nils Frykdahl- guitars and vocals (Idiot Flesh)
Dan Rathbun- bass and vocals (Idiot Flesh)
Carla Kihlstedt- electric violin and vocals (Tin Hat Trio)
Moe! Staiano- percussion
Frank Grau -drums (Species Being)
A little background info... "the band takes its name from an ultra-obscure Dadaist museum, which might have been less a museum than a prank. (The 1974 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records lists the SGM as the "World's Most Closed Public Institution." However, in the book's next edition, that reference was removed because research by the Guinness people suggested "that the SGM was not, in fact, a museum or public institution of any kind.") The band has those same Dadaist/artistic tendencies as the so-called museum. Instead of calling themselves band members or musicians, they use the term "curator." The "curators" say SGM is as much about performance art as it is about music."
If you liked Circus Contraption and have tenancies toward prog rock, performance artists and can handle the occasional death metal driven power cords and deep throat screams of anguish (come on, you know you like Gwar!), you'll LOVE SGM! The lead singer sounds almost just like Rob Zombie when he sings, and when he talks its one of the most beautiful deep velvety voices I have ever heard. One of the supporting singers, Carla, ranges from controlled intense bursts of sounds to soaring hindi style chants and other sounds reminiscent of Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance (mmm purrrrrr!).
The show started off really mellow, creating the setting for the beasts to weave their tales of lore and built up to a crescendo that actually forced me to pogo around and headbang. It was definitely a good time and I will be traveling up to the city to see them in the future if they don't make SC a stop anytime soon...
Their mortal bodies reside in Oakland, so all you N. Bay people should go out and support them as much as you can. It was definitely one of the most interesting "exhibits" I have ever witnessed :-)
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum http://www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com/directors.html
Estradasphere headlined and while the show started off really strong imo something happened about half way through and they lost alot of steam, some continuity was lost. Disco was tight though. I still had a great time of course! The extra side of poi dancer (yes flames were flying inside the Vets Hall during the Estradasphere set!) really made it a show. I missed the days of death metal cheerleaders, etc. and was really pleased I got a taste of this!
It was nice to spend a night away from the Noodles ;-) Christy