CONCERT REVIEW: Pia Mater at Lovin' Cup

January 18, 2010 at 11:49am

How do you jam without staying at the party too long, or getting the jam all over you? You follow Pia Mater's lead. I've heard these cats in acoustic situations more than I've heard them plugged in, so I know the tunes at their barest. When a song remains funky even when it's unplugged, that's funky. It's like being naked and still being considered well dressed.

Pia Mater has one song in particular, "Take Me To The Doctor," which is an extrapolated, funky opus that clocks in at more than 10 minutes when played live. I walked into Lovin' Cup just as the band kicked it off. The song is neatly Frankensteined with pieces that shake, run, bop, sway, and soar. And it seemed as if each part was created for a different section of the crowd. The band was slick and proficient and wry throughout its set. The grooves were fresh and the numbers --- though lengthy in some schools of rock 'n' roll thought --- rocked righteously and clean, like Primus without the need for a straitjacket, or even Dave Matthews, but with an end in sight.

Comments for "CONCERT REVIEW: Pia Mater at Lovin' Cup" (3)

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John said on Jan. 18, 2010 at 2:46pm

We went to see Pia Mater at the Lovin Cup this past Saturday evening. Friends invited us to join them, their son, Chris is the keyboard player, and as Jim said " I knonw your a music guy". Its been a while since I have attened a show in such a place, last time was donw on LI back in the late 70s, so yeah, I guess you could say I'm an old guy, but boy, did we enjoy it. The band was tight, and as stated in the review above, the groves were fresh, and the music was fun...we had a great time...

Dave said on Jan. 20, 2010 at 9:32am

A recodring of the show is up on archive if you desire to give it a listen.

http://www.archive.org/details/PiaMater2010-01-16

Diane said on Jan. 20, 2010 at 7:15pm

What a great night listening to the sounds of Pia Mater. Loving Cup was a great place to hear this band for the first time. The crowd was respectful and by the dancing and applause enjoyed what they were hearing. Kudos to the drummer in the band break!! What a unique way to take a break. The keyboard added a nice depth to the music and all the guitars brought balance to the sound. Can't wait to hear them again!!!!!

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