[VAXman(Admin)]

Martha, my son Kris and I left at about 4:00pm to head to the show. A change in the interchange off of Rt. 18 near Rutgers Univ. got me lost but we managed to arrive by 5:30pm, enough time to hit the Thai restaurant before Jim Robbinson opened the doors to the public. We spoke briefly with Tom and John Galgano as well as Paul Bremner before the show outside.

Skeletonbreath opened the evening. A trio consisting of electric violin, bass and drums. I've experienced Skeletonbreath once before as the opening act for the Mahavishnu Project. This is a very tight trio playing very dynamic and complex arrangements. The drummer hits the heads very hard making ample volume to fill the Old Franklin Schoolhouse with ear ringing volume without being mic'ed. And... for the second straight time at the NJ PRogHouse, they arrived without any CDs to sell. I'd really like to get some material of theirs for the moon.

http://www.tmesis.com/bands_2005/skeletonbreath/

Skeletonbreath departed after a general concensus to play at least one more number to make room for IZZ to setup and sound check. Sound check took a bit longer than the usual. Problems with a cable here, a poorly placed monitor there, and Tom plugging his headset mic into the wrong jack all allowed a little time to have the Skeletonbreath induced ear ringing to subside. A good thing too because I think the ringing in my ears was in the one key signature that IZZ does not play.

IZZ had played in Lowell Mass. the the night before and were filling in as a favor because Helmut of Gnats had to cancel. As such, IZZ played in a 4 of normally 6 configuration. Missing was one drummer and their female vocalist. They were still top notch. IZZ played several new numbers to appear on the new album which Tom promised would be ready in about 3 months. Tom told me that same time estimate last October when I spoke with him at the Marillion gig at Irving Plaza, NYC.


The number they indicated would be the opening track on the new album is a powerhouse track. It set the mood for the rest of the eve.
Two other tracks were also premiered.

For those of you familiar with IZZ, they performed "I Move" -- a fave of some moonies -- "Lornadoone" and, of course, one of my my faves "Coming Like Light"! Even sans one drummer and, more importantly, their female vocalist, they pulled off "Coming Like Light" and its vocal harmonies quite well. Paul Bremner, IZZ's guitarist performed one solo number from his album called "Womsong".

IZZ also treated us to their renditions of Pink FLoyd's "Run Like Hell" and Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain. Another very enjoyable evening at the NJ ProgHouse.

http://www.tmesis.com/bands_2005/IZZ/

Lighting in the Old Franklin School house is from two electric chandeliers with only 15watt bulbs. Not a fantasic amount of light for picture taking -- especially moving subjects. I played around with numerous Av and Tv camera modes throughout the night. Some worked and some didn't. The picks are what they are and, considering the lighting environment, not all that bad.