Four piece progressive instrumental band TAUK took their energetic show to The Loft in downtown Lansing, MI earlier this week.
Falling in the middle of their fall tour, which concludes at Suwannee Hulaween on November 1st, the tight, cohesive ensemble have displayed an extraordinary amount of endurance and focus.
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As a result, the band is surging in popularity on the heels of their latest release, HEADROOM, a double-disc live album that spans hand chosen selections from shows along the east coast from early 2015.
Everyday Junior kicked the night off strong with epic, volume driven battles between the guitar and keys, each often mimicking a ghostly saxophone among dance heavy funk beats, a perfect preclude to the vast style of the headliner.
While on stage, Everyday Junior commented on the loose, carefree attitude of the Lansing attendees. Before, during and after their set as well as through TAUK, the Loft let its creative side flourish. From live painting to a set-break synchronized hoop performance, there was a tremendously vibrant atmosphere all night.
The small, upstairs venue filled quickly as TAUK took to the stage.
They started the night off strong with songs not found on their official releases, “Program Select”, and “Shenanigans”, the latter a fun and sharp melody with a strong funk attack from the oft-grinning drummer Isaac Teel.
Another live show favorite, “Darkwing”, felt strongly influenced by their jam band mentors’ Umphrey’s McGee. Featuring a heavy staccato riff accented with off beat fills, it is reminiscent of “Push The Pig”.
“Sweet Revenge”, “On Guard”, and “Carpentino’s Rebirth” are all tracks featured on HEADROOM that were fleshed out for the receptive crowd. “On Guard” was the first standout of the evening with a well executed and exploratory jam.
Another standout, “Carpentino’s” began with an opening organ intro reminiscent of The Who before guitarist Matt Jalbert’s progressive and rhythmic fretwork launches the song skyward before Alric “A.C.” Carter and Charlie Dolan, armed with keys and bass, pull the reins and bring the song crashing into an epic 90s era hip hop beat with a true southern California feel.
The band continued to gain momentum throughout the evening, song after song the intensity and bounce grew stronger. A drum-heavy rendition of Radiohead’s “I Might Be Wrong” and a straightforward crush mode version of “Dusty Jacket” kept the crowd moving, but “Tumbler”, easily took the jam cake in Lansing.
Carter channeled the late Ray Manzarek’s flawless and pinpoint piano playing throughout the song, and continued with a spacey “Riders on The Storm” vibe underneath the whole song. Multiple tempo changes and insane fills from Teel really aided this standout performance of the song.
Not missing a beat, the band launched into a wildly imaginative rendition of The Beatles’ classic “Eleanor Rigby”. Even though TAUK does not have a vocalist to follow for cues the crowd belted out the lyrics, at times even drowning out the performed melody.
“Dead Signal” finished the set strong and the audience begging for more. The band quickly returned from their side-stage pow-wow and gave the people what they wanted: a hot fire encore consisting of “Revenge of Weenus” and the monster closer “Battle Without Honor or Humility”, or more recognizably, the theme from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series.
The night ended on a high note for everyone present and many artists in attendance contributed to the positive, festival vibe as much as the bands.
TAUK continues darting around the middle of the country until their Hulaween performance. From there, they are on break until Jam Cruise 14, and then opening two of Umphrey’s McGee’s three nights at The Beacon Theatre in New York City in January.