This is not the story that I’ve written in my mind, it’s an actual recording of Liebermonster getting things started at Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple!
Liebermonster kicked off their set with the big-band groove “This Is Not The Story”, a blend of zestfully charged horns, ripping organ tones and consonant funk guitar overlaid with the dual-percussive attack that compliments itself as well as it compliments the rest of the band. They followed this with a take on “Safina (Musicawi Silt)”, their first of two worldly covers in the set. The tune is an Ethiopian jazz-funk classic, originally by Walias Band and made popular by bands like Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and The Daktaris. This version featured several driven leads and a fiery mid-section with a peak built on crooning organs wails and fierce horns. The second worldly cover came from Russia, as near the end of the set the band took on the 19th century classical song “Korobeiniki”, better known as the theme from the game Tetris. The cover put their own, almost-ska-like-spin on the song with equally complimentary bounciness.
The dynamics of the set were in constant flux, from lively Afro-beat-inspired tunes like “Back To The Garden”, to the smoothly hypnotic tempo of “Spring Day Asteroids”, into the straight classic rock of “Keep On Playing”, the band was a smorgasbord of influences and sounds, constantly re-shaping itself. Songs, with subject matter ranging from the romantic poignancy of “Strange, But” to the down-right quirky and comical in “Bax, El Gato”, help paint a sonic-picture that is wide in scope. The band presents itself entirely, bearing all of what intrigues them musically: potent songwriting, engrossing orchestration, and ardent playing, building one hell of a monster. The set closed out with the dramatic orchestration of “Alberta”, a song that emotes an entire tale without a single lyric, a compelling narrative that brings listeners on one final journey before the end of their set.
Liebermonster brings a fresh perspective on the classic big-band jazz-rock sound that engrosses listeners, infusing genres together in an amalgam of classical and modern style with a peppering of psychedelic flair. Their knack for songwriting helps frame this journey in an easy-to-access format that brings the classic style to a much broader audience in the jam scene. To make a tired pun, they are their own monster entirely…and that’s what makes them great.
Liebermonster | 2019-04-13 | Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver, CO
-= One Set =-
01. This Is Not The Story
02. Safina (Musicawi Silt) (Wallias Band cover)
03. Back To The Garden
04. Spring Day Asteroids
05. Keep On Playing
06. Bat Country
07. Bax, El Gato
08. Treat Me Like A Cheetah
09. Strange, But
10. Korobeiniki (Tetris Theme)
11. Original Face
12. (Banter)
13. Alberta
Show Notes: This was an opening set for Kung Fu. This was the second-night of a two-night headlining-run for Kung Fu.
Taper Notes: DFC (taper nook) mics raised around 8′ PAS. Thanks to FOH Engineer Casey Tanton for the board patch!
Thank you to Liebermonster and Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple for supporting trading/sharing shows. Go see live music and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes
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