On January 30th I did a review of Icarus as recorded by The Forms. A few days later their label, Three Spheres, sent me to see them live. The glamorous life of running a website finally pays off!

My background in musical performances is mostly from firehouses and all-ages clubs. This particular performance was in a bar so I was out of my zone. Bands starting at 10pm? The Forms going on at midnight? I had to be up early the next day!

Through smoke and safety pins (don't ask) I endured until The Forms 12:30am start time. Playing to an rather intimate (small) room, with suitable speakers, balanced levels, and tuned mayhem. This tall group of well groomed rockers took command of the room and played like it was a sold out theater. Simply put these guys knew how to get a good sound. This is good thing for someone like me who doesn't usually stay up till the AM hours to catch a band.

Once past the sound, the sequenced drum loop interludes, and the perfect instrumentation lies the value of the door charge - well crafted songs that don't rely on over-tried gimmicks and tricks to pull a crowd in. Each song fashioned in a way that makes you regard each measure as piece of art.

So check these guys out on tour, and be sure to pick up their CD. I'm glad I was able to see these guys live though a little bummed I wasn't able to stay for their entire set - that 7am alarm clock is such a kill-joy.

WINTER TOUR 2003
2/1 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ @zen house [44 Sicard St.]
2/3 NORTHAMPTON, MA @harry's [140 Pleasant St.]
2/4 BROOKLYN, NY @northsix w/ Ex-Models (record release party) : Postponed
2/6 PURCHASE, NY @SUNY purchase [Campus Center North]
2/7 NEW PALTZ, NY @SUNY new paltz [Smiley Art Building]
2/8 BETHLEHEM, PA @Happy Tap [601 E. 4th St.]
2/9 BUFFALO, NY @mohawk [47 E. Mohawk St.]
2/10 DAYTON, OH @elbo's [200 S. Jefferson St.]
2/11 COLUMBUS, OH @old fields on high [2590 N. High St.]
2/12 DETROIT, MI @lager house [1254 Michigan Ave.]
2/13 EAST LANSING, MI @mac's bar [2700 E. Michigan Ave.]
2/14 MOUNT PLEASANT, MI @wesley Foundation [1400 S. Washington]
2/15 GRAND RAPIDS, MI @a mansion [Address Currently Unknown]
2/19 BROOKLYN, NY @northsix [66 N. 6th St] (record release party)
2/21 WILMINGTON, NC @bessies [133 Front St.]
2/22 WILLIAMSBURG, VA @william and mary u. [206 S. Boundary St.]
2/23 MT. PLEASANT, SC @village tavern [1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.]
2/24 ATHENS, GA @caledonia [256 West Clayton St.]
2/25 NASHVILLE, TN @indienet [1707 Church St.] : Icarus released
2/26 WARRENSBURG, MO @setlist [130 West Pine]
2/27 KANSAS CITY, MO @the brick [1727 Mcgee St.]
2/28 ST. LOUIS, MO @frederick's music lounge [4454 Chippewa]
3/1 MADISON, WI @catacombs at U. of Wisconsin-Madison [731 State St.]
3/2 IOWA CITY, IA @green room [509 S. Gilbert St.]
3/3 DUBUQUE, IA @cds for change [2160 Central Ave.]
3/4 PEORIA, IL @meeting house [4714 N. Sheridan Rd.]
3/6 FORT WAYNE, IN @freedom house [742 Walnut St.]
3/7 PITTSBURGH, PA @music festival [Address Currently Unknown]
3/12 PROVIDENCE, RI @as220 [111 Empire Street]
3/13 CLEVELAND, OH @beachland tavern [15711 Waterloo Rd.]
3/14 CHICAGO, IL @empty bottle [1035 N. Western]
3/21 CHAMPAIGN, IL @brass rail [15 East University]