Scotty Zwang Announced as New Drummer of RAQ

 Improvisational jam band RAQ has announced that NYC native Scotty Zwang (formerly of Dopapod, Sonic Spank, Greenhouse Lounge) will join the band on drums. 

Zwang has a long musical history with members of RAQ, having played in several projects with Stoops over the years, including BangBang, Without A Net (a Grateful Dead Tribute), Robert Banks Trio with members of Twiddle, as well as Cosmik Playground (a Frank Zappa Tribute) with Marcus Rezak and original Zappa member Ed Mann. Zwang has also performed with Michetti on multiple occasions with Conspirator.

Beginning in December for a series of recently announced show dates, Zwang will join Todd Stoops (Keyboards/Vocals), Chris Michetti (Guitar/Vocals), and Jay Burwick (Bass/Vocals). 

Upcoming RAQ Show Dates

12/15 - Westcott Theatre - Syracuse, NY

12/16 - The Capitol Theatre (w/ Twiddle) - Port Chester, NY

12/17 - Thunder Road Music Club - Boston, MA

For show details and ticket information, please visit RAQ’s Facebook page, facebook.com/raqmusic.

Photo: Mike Geller

  © 2016 Grateful Music LLC

Electric Beethoven is Music at its Best

Electric Beethoven is Music at its Best: A review of The Fox
by Kevin Long Photos by Sam Berenson 

 

Reed Mathis’ new passion project “Electric Beethoven” is nothing short of brilliant. This past Tuesday night I was fortunate enough to witness their modernistic approach to arguably some of the best music ever created. Reed’s concept is simple in design and execution. He surrounds himself with some of the most talented musicians in the jamband scene and uses Beethoven’s  classical catalog of music as their compass to jam. 

 

It's basically jazz with classical interpretation as the hook. The music can and does take off in unforeseen directions but Beethoven's melodies can always be relied on as the connection. On this particular evening they improvised mainly off Beethoven's Third and Sixth symphonies. This incarnation included Todd Stoops on keys and he was joined by “The Motet” ivory player Joey Porter for an extended jam. The beast that is Jay Lane was working magic behind a small kit most of the night but sit-ins would descend upon the drums often over the course of the almost three hour set. Reed Mathis filled out the band with guitar prodigy Clay Welch. His laid back approach on guitar suited the music well and he was assertive when the vibe needed it. 

 

       I would guess if Ludwig Van was alive today he would enjoy how this outfit is expressing his music a hell of a lot more than a symphony repeating it back to them note for note. Like most geniuses, he was a real live wire in his day and his brilliant music should be available to every musical fan, not just the ones in suits. I recommend you run and see this band in any incarnation if the opportunity arises. It is far too stupefying and outside the box to make much money. But on a Tuesday night at the Fox Theatre, we all danced to Beethoven's timeless music and witnessed nothing short of a bravura performance.  The only smiles bigger than the crowds on this night came from the musicians themselves. I streamed about 20 minutes of the show. You can watch on our FB page. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155539050893146&id=251328493145

Written by: Kevin Long
Photos by: Sam Berenson
Edited by: Greg Heffelfinger

Jason Hann's Rhythmatronix was the best kept secret of the year.

Jason Hann's Rhythmatronix was the best kept secret of the year. 

 

     Jason Hann recently finished an under the radar mini-tour with another amazing line-up using his banner Rhythmatronix. He only puts on a half dozen or so of these "musical showcases" a year and they never cease to blow my mind. This line up consisted of Todd Stoops on keys, Oteil Burbridge on bass, 

 

The Professor Fareed Haque on guitar and Paul Pineda and Jason Hann keeping time

 

That my friend is a super group! I will let the timeless music speak for itself since Jason was kind enough to let us stream. If you happen to see Rhythmatronix on a marquee near you in the future. Trust me and Go! The first two links will take you to our video streams of that night. Also enjoy theYou-Tube Video on the bottom. Thank you to Nany Isaac for sharing these amazing photos on Jason's FB wall. 

Photos: Nany Isaac 

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155394647498146&id=251328493145

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155394541668146&id=251328493145