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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2004)
BY VANESSA SALVIA Genre-Bending Jazz, female-rock, gospel and political punk this week. T he reptilian name of Seattle-based jazz quintet Reptet should inspire images of agility and warmth rather than cold-blooded cruelty. Saxophonist Tobi Stone, trumpeter Samantha Boshnak, pianist Stefan Nelson, bassist Benjamin Verdier and drummer John Ewing combine tradition with modern sensibility by cover- ing Blue Note-era golden oldies along with obscure gems and unique originals. Ewing and Nelson founded the band in 1999, then solidified into their current lineup. Reptet’s self-titled debut CD was recently released on Monktail Records, an upstart label dedicated to Seattle’s burgeoning jazz scene. The band is an offshoot of Monktail Creative Music Concern, a larger outfit com- prising 20-odd individual musicians. Reptet’s five “post-modern jazz warriors” combine “tradition, freedom and discipline” into a unique form that doesn’t hold to one genre, be it fusion, funk, or hard bop, for too long. The CD’s opening track, “After Before” features the pairing of tenor sax and flugel- horn. Often, the tracks start off slowly, then find themselves melodically and harmonical- ly for a solid finish. “The Gears” is a four- minute funk piece with wah-wah pedals and a refreshing sense of humor. “A Bit Nervous” is slinky tango in a jazz dress. Some of the tracks, like “Open to Morning,” “Already Afternoon” and “Resigned to Evening” are allowed to stay out past curfew, existing in a free-form world of no structure or direction, which can be interesting or disconcerting depending on the listener’s viewpoint. Reptet will perform June 26 at Luna. Flame-haired bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur initially declined Courtney Love’s requests to join the group Hole, but once she did so, her name became synonymous with hard, angry, female-led rock and roll. After Hole disbanded, Smashing Pumpkin’s Billy Corgan enlisted her. Then, two years ago, with both bands defunct, Auf Der Maur returned to her dream of pursuing a solo career, producing her new self-titled CD. Their most recent recording, Simple Truths, came out on Alligator Records in January. Its 13 songs are an eclectic mix of blues, gospel and R&B that no one else could do the same way. The group covers Bob Marley’s “Concrete Jungle,” and Willie Nelson’s “Opportunity to Cry” as well as Gillian Welch, Hank Williams and a surprising cover of Collective Soul’s “Shine.” The Townes Van Zandt cover, “If I Need You.” is breathtaking in its simplicity and beauty. They perform four wonderful originals infused with the uplifting spirit of Southern gospel and blues. The Brothers have said in interviews that for Simple Truths they were looking for a straight up, unvarnished album and achieved that by sticking to songs they loved and had been playing for years but had never record- ed, like “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. Four Eugene residents have formed a new, snarling political punk band they call Busholini . Despite the name, which likens our president to a dictator, the band doesn’t direct their anger strictly at Bush. Also in the target are corporations that downsize so their already filthy-rich CEOs can buy another personal jet and the all-to-common fact of racking up thousands of dollars in personal debt simply to live in today’s society. Don Davis, former punk rock DJ on UO campus radio station KWVA 88.1 FM, initially Though she’s a kickass bassist who started her own band, Tinker, at age 17, she has enlisted an incredible array of talent to help her out on this debut. Kyuss producer and Masters of Reality member Chris Goss pro- duced the CD, and two songs were co-writ- ten by Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Josh Homme, establishing a mood of heavy, atmospheric and melodic rock. Also represented are Hole’s Eric Erlandson, James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and Jeordie White from A Perfect Circle, Tinker guitarist and drummer Steve Durand and Jordon Zadorozny, Helmet drummer John Stanier, Offspring drummer Adam Willard, and Kyuss and Fu Manchu drummer Brant Bjork. Durand and Zadorozny are ADM’s touring lineup. Auf Der Maur is a talented musician, and intelligent woman who has persevered despite personal hardships and has much potential as a creative, hard-rockin’ musician. It would be difficult to fail with such illustri- ous help as she’s assembled on this CD, but I see promise here as she unscrambles her own musical identity. Witness Auf Der Maur and Eugene’s Northwest Royale at John Henry’s June 28th. Together since 1979, bassist/ vocalist Sherman Holmes, gui- tarist/vocalist Wendell Holmes and drummer/vocalist Popsy Dixon are the Holmes Brothers . The three are known for their gospel-tinged blues and soul, filled with breathtaking harmonies and down-home attitude. The brothers Holmes were raised in Christchurch, Virg., where their schoolteacher mother brought them up in blues and Baptist gospel. The brothers founded a short-lived group in the early ’60s called The Sevilles, gaining cachet by backing up touring acts. After the demise of the Sevilles, Dixon joined the group and the Holmes Reptet perform at Luna, June 26. Brothers was born. dreamed up the band two years ago, but it didn’t materialize until about six months ago. Bassist Ed Fromaroundthecorner, drum- mer Gordon Kenyon and guitarist Joe Dickerson complete the musical vision. Davis brought Busholini to life in part to re-connect to the punk rock community after leaving his post as a DJ. “I think political punk, if done well, or even if done well-meaning, is a worthwhile endeavor,” explains Davis. “In other ways [starting Busholini] was about being able to express the constant outrage that we all live in in a way that could be seen as positive and catalytic.” A history major and former Army reservist who works in tech jobs that are constantly in danger of being downsized, Davis isn’t just spewing opinions with no experience to back them up. Davis and crew satirize the Texas Republican look on stage and complete the Bush insult by wearing black robber masks, illustrating Davis’ feelings that the younger Bush stole his election. The band has been adding original material to their repertoire at the rate of a couple songs a week and have some well-chosen covers to pull from, includ- ing The Psychedelic Furs’ “President Gas.” Busholini will appear Friday, June 25 at Downtown Lounge, joined by two Portland bands, Trophy Wife and The Del Toros , a cool, all-girl trio. ew RED BARN N AT U R A L G R O C E RY E S T. 1 9 8 2 Whole foods, for whole people . . . Fresh from the farm to you! organically grown produce • organic beer & wine organic bulk foods • vitamins & supplements • organic herbs & spices special orders / case discounts • natural body care products LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED 4 TH & BLAIR • 342-7503 • M-Sa. 8 AM -10 PM • Su. 10 AM -9 PM JUNE 24, 2004 23
