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Anyone remember Harmony Rockets? They're basically Mercury Rev (whom, after releasing All Is Dream, I've long since signed-off on) in disguise. HR released a couple of experimental/noise disks in the mid 90's.

The current incarnation featured MR's Jonathan Donahue (keys, sequencing, and ambient vocals), Grasshopper (ambient guitar), and some Other Dude (more keys, more sequencing/drum pad). They did a great job, as I'm sure much of the performance was improv. Their 20-25 minute set featured melodically keyed loops, and lots of synth/guitar layering. The "songs" were worked over a 4/4 kick sequence weaving in and out of the mix, with Other Dude beating some tribal accenting into the drum pad.

Donning shades and wearing some sort of shoulder-padded 80's blazer, Donahue ocassionaly fondled a pair of facing LED trees positioned on stage in front of the group. I'd like to think that they were MIDI triggers or something, but I don't think they had a purpose other than being a theatrical medium for Donahue's flailing arms, which is sort of fisty.

The show was at The Annex in the LES, and cost $10. The Annex is funny to me because it used to be a lame ass velvet rope club(s) years prior. My girl lived upstairs, and it was really annoying to go over there on the weekend, because that spot thought it was all that. Suddenly it got shut down because people were openly caining or something. But I digress. Thinking that it may sell out, I stupidly bought tix in advance through Ticketweb, so it really cost me $13.

There were other performers too, like John DeVries (doing a decent lone man and his guitar folk-angst thing), The Silent League (who I really liked from what I heard here, and here), and Hopewell.

I gave Silent League a chance, but they seemed gay to me. Then I was tired, so I went home. I've posted one more High Resolution Photograph after the jump...