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- Written by Bluebird
Meet
GIGANTIC ANT
Drums- Donovan Edelstein
Bass- Zach Colton
Keyboards- Jared Howell
Biography provided by Jared Howell:
"Gigantic Ant started as a vehicle to perform some of the "crazier" instrumental songs I had started writing a few years ago. I was in a jam band with the bassist (Zach Colton) for a while and we eventually started composing more complex material that didn't fit in the jam band's style. When I moved to Boston, I reunited with my brother (Donovan Edelstein) who had spent a lot of time playing drums for various hardcore/punk bands.
What happened afterwards was simple: We combined our "crazy" ideas for compositions with Donovan's unique style of drumming and got a really cool new sound. We originally called the band "Piano Bastard" and started playing gigs around Boston and NYC.
Eventually we met a guitarist named Balaji Mani who really liked the music. We recorded an eleven track LP with him before he left to attend medical school. We played a ton of shows, too, and performed under a name he came up with, Gigantic Ant.
After he left, we kept the name and began writing more intense songs. Most of what is on the LP is more relaxed than what we perform live. As a trio, I now use a lot of distortion on my keyboard, Zach has a ton of effects for his bass, and Donovan plays the drum-kit like he's trying to blow it up. The newer sound is best exemplified in the song "Careful With That Fax, Machine" off of our live EP. We also have a bunch of videos on YouTube of us performing the new material, songs like "Supergyro" and "The Court Jester's Taste Tester."
Our influences are varied, but include Frank Zappa, The Bad Plus, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Tortoise, and King Crimson.
So what does Gigantic Ant sound like?
Jazz fusion sound with rock chords, smooth bass and creative keyboarding, combined with impact drum-work, make this up and coming trio a great act to follow. It is amazing that so many layers of sound can come from just three musicians. Much like their name, Gigantic Ant will surprise you with contrasts of fun eclectic music that instantly expands the imagination.
Track by Track:
"Careful With That Fax Machine"
This approaches jazz fusion with a metal mix. I can hear the King Crimson influence. The drumming subtly underlines the keyboards but is significant. Rhythms are woven in and out of the track with great starts and stops for impact. The rolling bass has a flow through the song and there are humorous hints of a circus theme mid-track.
"Orange You Glad"
This was my favorite song of the EP. Sweeping and calypso sultry, it is a mysterious mix of wango tango devious fun. Even the accidental voices in the background, as it is recorded live, add to the cabaret sound, bringing you into the scene of a cozy club in Juan-les-Pines, on the Cote D' Azur.
"Skull On A Podium"
Heavy on the drums and tight on the production, this song is all about timing. Gigantic Ant shows smart technical structure combined with restraint, which makes way for very light keyboard bridges that stand out.
"Thank you very much we are the Gigantic Ants"
The Ants have left the building ... come back, come back!!!
"Careful With That Fax Machine"
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- Written by Bluebird
Site Update:
(Michael "Flea" Balzary and Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Photo by M. Gummel.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers were at the
Boston TD Garden
May 7, 2012.
Read the feature article here.
"Can't stop the spirits when they need you, this life is more than just a read through!"
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- Written by Bluebird
The Real is a five piece alternative rock band from Toronto. They cite the influences of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains. They also follow contemporary alternative bands, (Moist, Wide Mouth Mason, Chevelle, Future History). But one listen to their new song, "Becks," and you may hear so many things that are loved about rock music, you will think this song has been around for years. It hits you with a jumped up guitar riff of lead and rhythm with a blues rock sound. The dip into the deep vocals of Justin Idems reminded me of Foghat, who by the way, released a new album, Last Train Home, two years ago.
Vocals: Justin Idems (songwriter)
Guitar/Bg Vox: Chris McCann (songwriter)
Keys/Bg Vox: Kendra Brasz
Bass: Joe Lapierre
Drums: Fil Smialek
Justin wrote in to tell me about their band influences. Guitarist, Chris McCann is a big Stevie Ray Vaughn fan along with Justin. He told me that "Becks" was also directly influenced by the sounds of the Dave Matthews Band. Justin said "Becks" is their only distinctive blues offering, and that this track is their closest to classic rock. Incubus and Canadian bands such as Moist, Big Sugar, Wide Mouth Mason, and Finger Eleven, are also fuel for the writing fire of The Real. This is their debut single, as they head to the studio for a full EP, which we hope will be soon to come.
The Real also recommends Future History www.futurehistory.ca for similar listening.
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- Written by Bluebird
ROCKED THE ORPHEUM THEATRE IN BOSTON!!!
With their smash hit album, Human Clay played in its entirety, plus fan favorites, it was a night to remember!
Read more: Site Update! Creed Review and Photos from the Orpheum Theatre Tonight Coming Soon!
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- Written by Deb Hebert
Read more: The Week in Joe by Deb Hebert. Vol. 6., April 15, 2012