As far as improvisational groups go, EOTO is among the most impressive bands to come out every night with fresh material, concocted from years of experience in a variety of musical styles and sounds. Michael Travis and Jason Hann have a knack for creating "jungle"-esque, Drum and Bass heavy party tunes as addictive as they are fun.
Saturday night the duo stopped by the Crossroads in Kansas City to the delight of a huge, vibrant crowd. Openers EZ Brothers, Mouth and Vibesquad stoked up a fire of positive energy first. Each set built upon the groove of the previous, leading to the climactic headliner's lengthy set that virtually wore out the enthusiastic crowd.
Mouth's funky jams are always a good dance-able time. The trio brought their A-game with a solid show of good tunes that everyone got down to for their first show at the Crossroads. A hefty crowd was gathered by the stage with folks dancing and cheering along throughout the set. A full army of Mouth fans from Kansas City and Lawrence were gathered to appreciate the local band's excellent performance.
Vibesquad was the final opener, a lone DJ with a lot of passion. Vibesquad's charismatic dancing and singing along to his mixes made for an entertaining show on stage, while the crowd got down below. Glowsticks were out in full force by this point in the night and throughout the show there was a general good vibe in the venue as people danced, drank and chatted with friends. This set was an interesting mix of DJ creations and remixes of other songs ranging far and wide, from Bjork to Katy Perry and everything inbetween. While the tunes were mostly good, a Crossroads full of eager EOTO fans was definitely ready for the headliner well before the last opener finished.
When EOTO finally took the stage the audience was roaring with excitement. The guys immediately got to work, throwing down dance-able jams, heavy on the bass with rumbling, fast drums. Hann's rapid-fire drumming pumped energy through the venue like a jackhammer, while travis' additional drumming, synthesizer magic and occasional guitar work conjured intricate, dynamic melodies and harmonies. With vocals, guiar, keys, and other instruments adding their sound to different songs, the band explored a variety of styles within their dubstep, house, trip-hop grooviness. Together the duo improvised endless songs, with only rare pauses in their breathless sorcery.
The thumping drums, the whomping bass and limitless dance-ability of the set turned the crowd into a frenzy early on. An hour into EOTO's performance most of their fans were completely worn out. Perhaps some folks had danced a little too hard too early, or maybe this lineup of artists with this epic headliner was simply too much for anyone to handle. Regardless, a full crowd remained for the band's encore. Sensing the flickering energy of the audience the guys played a slower finale that left everyone satisfied.
EOTO said they would be in Lawrence again this Halloween. If it is anything like last year it will be a stellar party, so don't miss out!
Now for Previews:
This Wednesday, Yonder Mountain String Band will be rocking out at the Crossroads with Split Lip Rayfield and Mountain Sprout. This trio of awesome bluegrass bands will make one of the best concerts of the year together. Tickets cost $20, doors open at 7 p.m.
Saturday the 20th, The Bottleneck will host the "Foxy By Proxy Burlesque Revue" Carnival Show with The Spook Lights! The Spook Lights, Lawrence's own rockabilly surfer-rock garage band will rage along with games prizes, a freak show, a kissing booth, fortune teller, face painting and more. Lawrence's local troupe the Burlesque Beauties will be making a circus show out of the Bottleneck. This is sure to be a spectacle of wild proportions, so be there! Tickets are just $7! Doors open at 8 p.m.
Monday the 22nd Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band will be getting funky at the Bottleneck at 8 p.m.
See you out there!
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