The Democrat a& Chronicle still manages to crank out a daily paper but they are struggling to stay relevant. Last week we got an email from them informing us that the paper delivery may be delayed the next day in order for them to bring us reporting on the Syracuse Final Four game.
They are trying. They gave Jeff Spevak, the music critic, video equipment for his phone and asked him to make a few videos each week for his blog on their site. Only problem is you can’t find his blog. Their search engine and site are close to pathetic. Tucked away somewhere under the “HerRochester” tab is a video he made of Margaret Explosion along with this little blurb. We play tonight and this passage pretty well sums up the drill.
“Margaret Explosion is the Big Bang Theory of bands, only in far less volatile language. It does not rehearse. It merely exists.
Currently holding down a weekly Wednesday residency though May at The Little Cafe, 240 East Ave., the four musicians show up, assemble their instruments and chat amiably with patrons of the cafe, who may have shown up to hear the band, or are merely passing through on their way to a movie. At some point at around 7:30 p.m., the four pieces of Margaret Explosion – saxophonist Peggi Fournier, drummer Paul Dodd, Bassist Ken Frank and guitarist Bob Martin – drift toward the stage after hearing some kind of signal that only they can hear, and appear to be doing a sound check. But no, without any kind of an announcement (“Ladies and gentlemen, Margaret Explosion!”) they are now playing avant-garde jazz.
The music is slow, sinuous and spooky. It is David Lynch soundtrack material. All of the shows are recorded. Songs are frequently uploaded onto the band’s web site, margaretexplosion.com. At this moment, 150 of these Margaret Explosion relaxed accidents are available as free downloads. Most with their own cover art. I am listening to “Great Wall Flower,” with guest Jack Schaefer on bass clarinet, as I type this. I feel like lighting incense and assuming the lotus position on my desk, but that would be abusing company property….” – Jeff Spevak
We are not all “slow, sinuous and spooky” though. Once a year, usually in the Spring we play something in a major key.
