Long before This is BASIC—the new album from Chris Forsyth, Nick Millevoi, and Mikel Patrick Avery—Forsyth and Millevoi had both separately been discussing the uniqueness of Robert Quine’s discography and playing. Forsyth gave an interview in Raven Sings the Blues back in 2019 where he praises the overlooked, even disliked, album from Quine and drummer Fred Maher, Basic. In 2021, Millevoi breaks down Quine’s “unpredictable” playing for Premier Guitar, complete with music notation. As an observer and non-player, it’s fascinating to hear musicians talk about their influences in ways so clearly project their excitement and awe. It’s worth mentioning also that Quine was a taper, having captured some of the key surviving Velvet Underground performances, including three renditions of “Sister Ray”!
The current lineup of BASIC has Doug McCombs, who should need no introduction, sitting in with Forsyth and Avery. Catching up with them here in Forest Hills park, BASIC are anything but. Mikel Patrick Avery’s percussion, a mix of triggered sounds and analog drumming, is mesmerizing as it reverberates throughout the bandshell and park. McCombs plays a six-string bass which opens up its own unique possibilities as a foil for Forsyth’s guitar. They play the album through in order but with the new lineup it’s morphed into something unique. I expect as this trio continues playing together, they’ll further adapt into new forms.
BASIC is about to kick off their West Coast tour and then return to Brooklyn in December with 75 Dollar Bill at The Sultan Room or at Tubby’s in Kingston with Chris Brokaw. If you’re local, don’t miss those. If not, check out the BASIC tour dates and catch them near you:
Sat 10/5 Portland @ Star Theater w Marisa Anderson
Sun 10/6 Seattle @ Sunset Tavern w Diminished Men
Tues 10/8 Arcata CA @ Richards Goat w Eta Corina (Chasny/Aolani)
Thurs 10/10 San Francisco @ Thee Stork Club w Bill Orcutt
Sat 10/12 Los Angeles @ Zebulon w Sessa
Sun 10/13 Joshua Tree Music Festival
Wed 12/4 Brooklyn @ The Sultan Room w 75 Dollar Bill
Thurs 12/5 Kingston NY @ Tubby’s w Chris Brokaw Rock Band
Fri 12/6 Boston @ Middle East Upstairs w Chris Brokaw Rock Band
Sat 12/7 Philadelphia @ Johnny Brenda’s w The Early & Totally Automatic
Sun 12/8 Washington DC @ DC9
Mon 12/9 Pittsburgh @ Bottlerocket Social Hall
Wed 12/11 Detroit @ Outer Limits Lounge
Thurs 12/12 Chicago @ Judson & Moore w Yr Knives
Fri 12/13 Milwaukee @ Cactus Club w Yr Knives
Sat 12/14 Minneapolis @ 7th Street Entry w Yr Knives
Stream and Download at the Live Music Archive
BASIC
2024-09-14
Seuffert Bandshell
Queens, NY
Recorded and produced by Eric PH for nyctaper.com
MBHO KA200N/603A > Naiant PFA >> Sound Devices MixPre-6 > WAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC + Izotope Ozone 5 > Audacity 3.0.2 > FLAC
Tracks [46:15]
01. For Stars of the Air
02. Nerve Time
03. Positive Halfway
04. Last Resort of the Gambling Man
05. Versatile Switch
06. New Auspicious
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