Went to Cafe Van Kleef last night for Musashi Trio. Van Kleef is an amazing scene on any given night, but last night it was orbital.
Moose and his band are cooking along, doing their blues rock thing full on, when a few songs into their set, something out of the ordinary happens. I hear what I first think is an echo on the drums from the back of the room, or out front. It gets louder, the beat is out of time with what the trio is playing, then I hear the unmistakable sounds of a brass band, complete with tuba and marching snare and bass drums. What?
I turn and see my ears do not deceive me - a carnival has entered the room and I quickly put together that we are being ambushed by the Extra Action Marching Band. Heard of their antics, never seen ‘em, and my first reaction is - hey that’s rude, walking in on a band’s set like that! But also delighted and amused. How will this play? The band is up there jamming away - Moose’s eyes are closed in the middle of a solo - he can’t hear the invading cacophany yet, onstage as he is, in front of the amps and drums. With a certain glee I study the band’s response - they’ll know in a matter of seconds.. there, eyes open, quick cartoon double take, re-assessment of situation, barely perceptible indignation at this brazen takeover, replaced quickly by silly grins, as a gang of go-go dancers with giant silver pom-poms mounts the stage, tables and the bar itself, gyrating precariously yet with practiced precision. Myself and everyone else in front is trapped - there’s no getting in or out of this now - the way is sealed by a very loud, very well rehearsed, flamboyantly dressed guerilla marching band. Extraordinary. The floor is theirs, the entire long narrow bar room has become a stage, the players and dancers having distributed themselves snugly throughout the already crowded room. The audience, mixed in as we were with these usurpers, seemed to go from bewilderment and shock to unanimous approval in a matter of seconds. Once it was understood what was happening, it seemed perfectly natural. They did not overstay their welcome - did three numbers and left as they had arrived - playing raucously, dancing and cavorting and carrying on like life is fun, and a good thing.
The room was already electric before this spectacle, now it’s ready to launch. Their unplanned break over, the Trio returns to the stage and melts the place. Giddy smiles fill the room as Moose goes berserk on a Stevie Ray cover, and even Peter Van Kleef’s famously decorated walls seem to celebrate.
All this after an early dinner at teh Fat Lady and a good play at the rehearsal studio downtown. I hella <3 Oaktucky.
I like this trend of groups doing concerts of their classic albums in entirety. Devo doing “Are We Not Men” and “Freedom Of Choice,” Judas Priest doing “British Steel,” even Van Morrison recently toured “Astral Weeks.”
“If Rap Gets Jealous”
Aaron Cometbus’ latest - 
