Walking down the snowy streets of Philadelphia makes for an unpleasant fringe of the exposed ears and hands. Luckily, the destination of the hour is the Theater of Living Arts on South Street. At this standing room mecca for up and coming regional music groups, the evening's lineup consists of a New Orleans staple, Lettuce, and the opener, a four-piece funk band from New York City, TAUK. The combination is flawless, blending flavors from Coney Island to Cajun Bayou, making for a sweet swirl of sound to warm the fringe.
One aspect worth mentioning is the unexpected ability of the opener to steal the show.
Walking into the venue without prior mention of an opening band, members of the audience listen to spatial funk without realizing it is an opener. The music presented by TAUK breaths a fresh robotic life into the classic funk style.
Completely instrumental songs refine the virtuosity of the four members, much like sensory deprivation's affect on the remaining senses. The guitarist lays down articulate solo swoons that fly around the room. The bassist cracks the concrete with an earthy pulse allowing the others to blossom. The man on keys and synth sits quietly facing inward, outwardly blasting face-melting dances on the ivory steps. The drummer takes this writer's spotlight.
As the purveyor of percussion, his salesmanship is spot-on, selling the crowd millions in slaps and taps, while also giving everyone a severe case of the claps. His persona shines across the galaxy, with even Plutonians catching a glimpse of his exuberant animation. Along with his compatriots, the four funk-ateers strike an internal chord unreachable with mere recording technology.
Along the way shines a particularly well-placed yellow tint.
During one of many guitar spotlights, the climax comes to full apex with intense synth harmonies and diamond-shattering delta waves from the bass, but the feather that tips the scale is the golden beam that coats the entire audience.
A magnificent glow radiates from several properly-angled drop lights to decorate the fine funk Olympians with their allegorical podium finish, graciously shared to the entire population of the theater. The newly-indoctrinated fans grace their champions with an anthem of praise and musical victory.
The headliner, Lettuce, comes on stage a whole 45 minutes later to an anxious crowd. They go on to perform a beautiful set of relentless brass presence and borderline spiritual organ serenity.
However, the lasting impression comes from the former act.
Atlas bracing the Earth does not understand the pressure of an opening band. The majority of listeners hear elevator music on the way up to the headliner's penthouse suite. Although, some are surprised when the starter can cut the cord and take the passengers for a wild ride down the shaft.
Albeit this article attempts to bring legitimacy to openers, in no way should this be interpreted as a slander on the integrity of Lettuce. The greatest shows with multiple acts find fluidity and cooperation between the equally-talented groups. The mentioned show is a fine example.
With that being said, TAUK takes the cake for bringing a fresh face to a time-honored genre. Next time the starting act stumbles out of their mom's basement to entertain, an open ear is all it takes to experience amateur glory in Olympia.
