Click Below To Check Out Some Crazy Pics From Fats Hammond's 10th Anniversary

Fats w/ Frank MP3 / "Going Wild" Sample MP3 / Click here for some video

See Fats Hammond's MySpace for more!

2/8/07 Further From Zen - Fish Hill Tavern, Beverly
 
Ok, so it was my first time at the 'Tav' and as I walk through the door to the right, where the band was, I now see why bands may or may not want to play there. The bar is split into two parts, so if your not into the music as much you can hide on the other side. Me, well I was right at the front. Further From Zen consists of Ben Zecker (keyboard extraordinaire for Boston Horns and Headshaft), Dennis Monagle (Percussion/beatbox guru for Groove Therapy and Resonance fame) and Jesse Ciarmataro (Multi-talented vocalist/guitar/bass/keys with Christine Baze/Resonance/Polyquin fame) - Put all these elements together and you get a hybrid of mellow crooning vocals, tight and crunchy drum rhythms with Hancock-esque synthesizer pads and modern sub-bass lines. These guys can play, and not only that, they can jam - at one point of the night Jesse takes over bass, lays down a line and loops it!!! The jam then starts, Monagles rippin up a beatbox vocal groove, Zecker has two keylines going on; one form his mini Korg, that sounds like a filtered out horn, while he's progressing with the other hand on the Nord like Lonnie Liston Smith. This is not the Resonance, nor is it Groove Therapy or The Boston Horns - This is Further From Zen, and I welcome their free form jam spirit. 
 
Between the 3 of them they could easily come up with simple jazz/pop songs for the girlie's, but no... They go the other way creating a great live act that incorporates modern electronic improvisation techniques just bursting full of creativity.  I welcome it to the North Shore and their new home at The Fish Hill Tavern! 

Cocaine Tongue last night at Dodge... Here are 2 pics... and a LIVE MP3! It's a guns and roses cover. Enjoy!

I got a chance to check out the open jam last month.  Check out an MP3 of Black Magic Woman!