I went to a couple of the Wayne Krantz shows and grabbed some pics for..well, for you actually.
The shows were very strong. There’s not many bands out there that are pushing their improv boundaries with backbeat type music the way Wayne does with his bands. It really is something special to watch and hear them take it up and away while they glance at each other with cues and smiles while the audience rides shotgun. It was very cool. I got a chance to hang with Cliff a bit, he was very down to earth, and played his ass off. He really makes an effort to play almost unconventional at times (the theme of the band) and it shows. Once you find something that works for you on your instrument, it’s hard to abandon it for the dreaded “unknown” but Cliff finds ways to click and clack with rims, or the sides of the drums when needed.
The music is never in any real danger though, as odd as that sounds. Even during the looks of slight uncertainty or not having the attention of the one you’re trying to cue, it seemed the solidarity of the overall theme of taking off their musical life jackets and diving in head first worked no matter what happened simply because they’re monster players who actually work on this stuff. They’re musical stunt men (and women) doing the stunts others envy but wouldn’t have the courage (or musical depth) to do if given the chance.
Discussion here.