Minus, NSP tag team Squirrel's,
by Jacob Tenpas, The Daily Barometer, Friday, May
21 1999
When most of us attempt to to conjure up a mental image of a "cover band," chances are it will be that of a drunken 20-something quartet of Goerge Thorogood and the destroyers wannabees hacking mercilessly away at "Born to be Wild" with all the finesse and accuracy of and EZ Bake Oven. Not to imply that the two bands that will be assaulting Squirrel's this Saturday night are mere cover bands, but Corvallis area mix-and-match masters Minus and Nautical Sauce Posse have reputations for tackling classics and rubbing their faces in the post-modern mud with little remorse.
Anyone who was present the last time these two groups converged on one stage (actually a small clearing at the back of Happy Trails New and Used) will attest to the potent chunk of of frantic avant-funk that unfolded. Though their sounds are miles apart, Minus and NSP's mutual emphasis on the almighty groove provides enough common ground ground that fans of both bands can stick around for both sets, and ultimately savor the contrasts they provide.
For those of you who still haven't motivated yourselves enough to attend one of Minus' many shows, the trio, which consists of Mark France (guitar, electronics), Dave Trenkel (bass, electronics and sometimes keyboards) and Henry Franzoni (percussion), is undoubtedly one of the most eclectic outfits around. Their unorthodox medley of King Crimson's "Red" and "One More Red Nightmare" has brought tears to the ducts of seasonerd prog-rock fans and newcomers alike, and their penchant for stretching out on electric period Miles Davis Tunes and original free improvisations keep the live vibe perpetually fresh.