Maurice the Fish at the Knitting Factory - Hollywood
It’s easy to mistake the band Maurice the Fish for their parent label, also called Maurice The Fish (Records), but if the band wasn’t already signed along with a full line-up of other artists, I’d say they should be. The four piece tore up Hollywood Boulevard at The Knitting Factory on April 2nd, coming down LA way from their home turf in Seattle.
Maurice the Fish is not what I would expect from a Seattle band, which usually leads out with dreary melodies and droning Emo Grindcore arrangements. Instead, this dynamic four piece exploded off the stage with original songs that made me wonder if I was listening to songs I should know already, as the melodies and choruses had such a familiar, easy to remember feel about them.
Their single release CD “Can You Feel Me (I’m Right Here)” is a roots-rock song heavy on the rhyme that was so inviting to get into, it had me singing along in my car by the second chorus. With such catchy songwriting, it’s no doubt as to why they chose this song as their give-away single.
Maurice the Fish has the tight live performance sensibility of a band that has had time to gel their sound , and their tight live show was evident of this. The band’s three part vocal harmonies, placed well as to not overdo, reminded me of why I miss bands whose members all sing.
Guitar player Rob Rigoni was a particular stand-out with not only his tasty slide playing and unbelievable solos, but his energy onstage, taking the mic with command to wake up the room with the veteran charisma of a seasoned touring front man. His voice has a sexy quality full of raspy power, which is a nice departure from the more whiney rock vocals pushed by so many bands right now.
Bass player Julianna Montgomery was not only easy on the ears, but the eyes, too, donning a crushed straw cowboy hat, stepping up front to take the mic with a big vocal belt reminiscent of Heart. She kicked off another stick-in-you-brain future hit whose chorus rapped around with “It’s not about you / It’s all about me” that I had a hard time getting out of my head the next day.
Drummer Eric Montgomery, buried in back amidst a pile of drums, also took over on vocals for a song or two with a voice that cut through and reminded me of Seal. I wasn’t able to see him as well with how the band was placed onstage, but his playing was rock-solid and dynamic, and his vocal ability was a nice plus.
My surprise of the evening was keyboardist Raymond Hayden, behind a stack of large keyboards which he played with an almost pre-recorded concert-pianist precision, something you never hear live. Hayden’s lilting tenor voice was so sleek, smooth, and haunting that coupled with his lyrics, I thought I may be listening to a Pink Floyd album, only with a hook. Between his unshakable vocal control and seamless playing, I had to ask myself: is there anything this band can’t do?
Maurice the Fish is definitely a band to look for, and make sure to go and see them live if you can. Check out the record label website: www.MauriceTheFishRecords.com, or the band’s website www.MauriceTheFish.com. Don’t be confused by their website –the band also plays for-hire dance cover gigs, and that makes sense with how tight this band plays together. But I’d put Maurice The Fish’s original sound up against anything on the radio, or in any big concert hall, so I was surprised and a little more than disappointed that there wasn’t more of their original sound highlighted on their website. As it is, you’re going to have to take my word for it. I would have bought full length Maurice the Fish CD’s for friends, and that’s rare for me. I guess I’ll have to wear out my single until one is available. So definitely check out this fantastic original band if they’re in your area, because Maurice the Fish makes being a fan fun again. - CD Insight