D IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
For some reason-and the band will probably hate me for this-the local intelligent dance music trio d numbers reminds me of
Thriller
-era Michael Jackson. I know, it's a stretch at first: the currently beleaguered, formerly sequined one…and three scrappy, scrungy, kooky local wunderkinds, all falling under the same umbrella. What does a
single-gloved superstar have to do with Santa Fe's progressive, wonky dance rock combo, right?
Still, that bassline from "Beat It" is summoned, a ghost from the past, every time I hear d numbers. Whenever they take the stage, or patio, or darkened, musty corner, or whatever might be serving
as a makeshift performance spot at the time, there it is, haunting me. And "ghost" is the appropriate word-and here's why:
D numbers hide behind a screen as a semi-ironic fog machine pumps out noxious fumes. Clipped voices-culled from godonlyknows what obscure '50s science fiction film-inform us over the PA that liftoff is imminent. The long countdown begins. The audience is on tiptoes, waiting, waiting…until finally, 3…2…1…we have liftoff, according to the taped intro. You'd expect the band to pull some dramatic stunt at the tape's climax, a barrage of guitar squonk and Rush-like drums. Instead, the group merely sneaks out from the screen, and a sweet, shimmering waterfall of drums and cymbals announces their presence. Understated. Seductive. Ghostly.
Then the bass starts, rooted in equal parts Mothers of Invention and P-Funk, coyly interweaving with a supple guitar line. It's the rhythm section that pulls you in-since when did what is essentially prog rock learn to groove like that?
That's when the Michael Jackson specters show up. The first few seconds of "Beat It," are pure bass groove, and as I look around and see 50 college kids dancing their usually maudlin asses off while d numbers blasts through their sexy shimmering set, I can't help but think that every groove is essential, ancestral, related. Even that of three cute white boys and an alleged child molestor.
Catch d numbers and the Useless Eaters at High Mayhem Studios (1703-B Lena St., 501-3333) this Saturday at 8 pm.
JAKA SHAKRA
Speaking of grooves, one of Santa Fe's favorite bands is back. Jaka-who have twice won the SFR reader's best band crown, moved up to Boulder (the jam band epicenter of the world)
a couple years ago. At that point, Jaka had switched over to a more guitar-based sound, a departure from founding member Dan Pauli's more multi-culti instrumental vision. "The band moved up to Boulder, I had a kid and quit the band and came back to Santa Fe," Pauli recently told me. "Then the band fell apart." Well, Pauli's back with a new version of Jaka. Or sort of a new/old version, with four original members and a return to their percussive roots. "[In Boulder] the band went way more electric" Pauli said. "When I left, there were two electric guitars. Now there's just one, and sometimes none. We're back to our original sound."
For those who don't remember, that original sound is a world beat-oriented dance jam that is fun as all git-out, centered around Pauli's percussion expertise. Look for the group to play on the Plaza May 21 at 5:15 pm, but before that, catch them at an all-ages, smoke- and alcohol-free, kid-friendly show at Pauli's Wild Marimba Studios (1235A Siler Road) this Saturday at 7:30 pm.
DO YOUR DUTY TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY
Finally, word (and by "word," I mean "offical press release") has it that the State Music Commission is planning on having its Web site clearinghouse up and running by mid-June. If you fall into one of the following catagories:
1) Musician who needs a gig
2) Venue who needs musicians
3) Interested party who wants to let the Commission know what's important to you when it comes to New Mexico music
I highly recommend contacting the Commission at:
, or call 827-6454.
