arranging letters with q and not u
by chip boehm
The Metropolitan
Almost a year ago exactly, an entire audience was driven to dance while the band played on a stage adorned with a replica of the infamous Grateful Dead skull.
But this wasn't Boulder and these weren't a bunch of hippies.
Back again are Q And Not U, the current darlings of the underground. They're a trio; they're from D.C.; they're on Dischord. All that means nothing until you've witnessed their live show.
Over the course of three albums the band has maintained a compositional brilliance weaving dense polyrhythms and wicked stick skill from John Davis with the multi-instrumental minded dual guitar approach of Harris Klahr and Chris Richards. The two handle most of the vocals, except when Davis adds to their recent harmonic falsetto triads, while entwined with synths, bass, melodica and recorder.
While not always lyrically apparent, the band maintains its political bent in the arena of social awareness. Upon visiting the band's Web site, a column on the right-hand side urges you to stay informed with links to about 20 various Web sites offering essential reading.
Q And Not U represents the best of a genre quickly threatening to burn itself out on self-referential minutiae. Their return from South Africa should hopefully highlight some of the subtle afro-beat and dub inspirations. Dancing is highly recommended and almost impossible to avoid. Your backside will surely be assaulted.
El Guapo promises to pair up nicely as the evening's opening band. Dischord label mates and fellow genre flag bearers, the bands sound relies more heavily on synths while maintaining an experimental attitude.
It's hard to entice readers to see this show. Q And Not U are the secret you want to share, but don't want to see smothered. They're not only musically brilliant but have a certain fragility that you want to defend and protect.
This isn't a bandwagon to hop aboard but a treasure to uncover. Come on out. Any doubts you have will surely be alleviated, and you will see some dancin' on a Deadhead.
Q And Not U plays Oct. 23 at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. Tickets are $8-$10. Doors open at 8 p.m. Info at www.cervantesmasterpiece.com |
