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THINK  /  COCK E.S.P.

LIVE AT DUFFY'S TAVERN, JUNE 7, 2000

By  Michael French

     Minneapolis noise freaks Cock E.S.P. astounded Lincoln with six minutes of eccentric antics. Member #1 sat crouched over a machine on the left side of the stage, Member #2 (dolled up in a donkey costume) thrashed about on the right, as high pitched feedback assaulted our ears.
     "Donkey-man" jumped around (quickly losing his donkey head), rolled around and beat himself with what looked like a piece of cardboard. Perhaps this cardboard was wired to act as a noise producing microphone, but I couldn't discern much difference in the crackly feedback despite whatever the demented duo did.
    This was all very odd, and kind of funny (which I hope was the point), so I must suggest you take 10 minutes out of  your life to experience them some day.

     Lincoln's own noise freaks Think astounded us with a much more musical set of jazz noise. Indeed, (and this where I mention what a fantastic drummer Jay is, because, in a long rant, Eric told me to...) drummer Jay Bayles is the epitome of jazz drummers. Like a many armed mantis he made the beat  jump and switch in the most interesting ways. Matt Silcock stands as one of Lincoln's finest (and most diverse) guitar players. And Eric Aspengren is just a bassist....  a DAMN FINE bassist! (Here's the part where I tell you to check out their Band Profile because it explains the band and all of their history and accomplishments much better than I have and will here. And so, on with what transpired.......)
     Thinks first song revolved around a repeating six note guitar riff, built into chaos, and then dropped down into ambient psychedelia, with Jay keeping beat on the symbols. The second found Matt quipping about the perils of equipment failure as Eric's bass seemed to be cutting out.
     The band continued with "Eons To Go" and a beautifully rendered Sonny Sharrock tune. Matt reminded us that "A good jazz audience never talks during the bass solo..." and then the band launched into a plodding minor keyed song (which reminded me of a slowed down "oldie") that featured vocals by Eric & he. This dissolved into a stormy sea of noise and drum rolls.
     Matt & Eric bent down next to their amps to adjust the waves, and the next thing I knew... Eric rammed his bass into the amplifier!
     This brought a dramatic end to what I believe was Think's first show in some time (and to Eric's speaker). Matt & Jay played out the song for a bit (though I heard later there was more to the set) and bid us farewell.
     Of course this all took much longer than six minutes, was kind of odd and funny, but mostly was just damn cool.

   --Michael French

LINKS: Think Band Profile   /    TV City Band Profile   /   Record Review Think "The Drift"

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