ST37, Primordial Undermind, & The Ponys Live in Portland Maine 8-5-03


The Pony's	Primordial Undermind	ST37

Wow! A chance to see some cool live psychedelic music, and only an hour and a half drive from home to see it!!! Couldn't talk anyone else into going down (Tuesday night, not home 'til 2AM, etc)...but sometimes I JUST NEED FREAK OUTS, so off I went by myself...

The show took place at a pub called Geno's in Portland, Maine. I got there at 8, to find out the show didn't start until 10 PM (?!), so I had a coupla hours to be social and suck down some Guinness's (what the hell is the plural of Guinness???). I hung out at the bar for awhile, chatting with a couple of bar flies, and catching the Red Sox. I also talked to the very cool folks in ST37 for awhile. All members were really nice, and we had some excellent conversation.

There were three bands playing..."ST37" were the headliners, "Primordial Undermind" were 2nd, and the opening band was Portland, Maine's own "Pony's". Both "ST37" & "Primordial Undermind" are from Austin, Texas, and I always enjoy a chance to see some good Texas psych! And I was NOT disappointed!

The Pony's

The "Pony's" came on first. I had not seen them before, but enjoyed their set. Sort of choppy indy rock, but it worked. The first half didn't involve me too much, but the second half was REAL good. Kind of reminded me of an Ultravivid Scene/Talking Heads kind of mix if I have to describe it. Their set was very well received, as they had a cheering section that was there for their set (didn't know Portland had so many cute women...will have to head back real soon!!!) It's too bad most of the cheering section left before the other two bands, they missed quite a show!

Next, were Texas's "Primordial Undermind". I have an older album of theirs from the mid 90's , but their sound has changed a LOT, and I think for the better. They put up an incredible wall of psychedelic noise! The percussionist was not afraid to try different sounds, the guitarist & bassist kicked the sound forward, and underneath was some freaked out electronics that added a very trippy edge to the music. (I am bloody HORRIBLE with names, but the electronics player was kind enough to show and explain her instrument afterwards...certainly not mass made...lotsa cool knobs that could do some heavily mutated sounds...VERY cool!!!).

I love good psychedelic music, and holy cow, "Primordial Undermind" delivered!!! They had a pulsing sound that worked it's way DEEP into the brain...A VERY fun set...The band was fun to watch, especially the drummer, who looked very tranced...

Finally, "ST37"!!! I had seen them before, but this is the first time I'd seen them in a small club. I had talked to them all, and gotten to know them before the set, which definitely added to the experience...They kicked out a great set that did what I needed it to do...rocked the living hell out of both my mind and my body (and isn't that what the best kind of psychedelic rock is supposed to do???). All members played hard, and when it gelled (damned often), the sound definitely took me out to the stratospheres...a great set by one of America's best Space Rock bands...

Needless to say, a DAMNED fun night! Too bad more folks didn't stop by, or stick around for the two Texas bands, but a super fun time was had for all of us that hung out...If you want more info on ST37, they have a good site at http://www.st37.com. That's how I found out about the show!

Originally Published 08-06-03