Tera Melos Awes the Larimer Lounge

Photo by fan Jamie Cotton

Photo by fan Jamie Cotton

Three piece band Tera Melos hasn’t graced Prog-Rock fans with any music since 2013’s X’ed Out but the groups newest album, Trash Generator, has fans of the innovators excited. Igniting the Larimer Lounge this past Friday with their fun presence, complex song structures, and use of effect pedals, Tera Melos was a sight to see, even if the music doesn’t suit your fancy. To understand what you missed, you must first understand the genre from which they come, “math rock”. Intricate guitar riffs, unconventional time signatures, and quickly alternating rhythmic patterns can feel chaotic to those who don’t get it. Being someone who has followed Tera Melos since 2009, I’ve seen the band grow in terms of approachability. They have added vocal measures that resonate with fans, and hooks that are repetitive enough to be catchy. Plus, they have a really awesome set up involving something like 15 sample and effect pedals that contribute to the intricacies and improvisation aspect of the genre, while showcasing their individuality.

A decent sized crowd of all ages looked as though they were enjoying themselves, most people taking part in the massive mosh pit that overtook the majority of the room. No bigots, no loud talkers, everyone was there to flail to some weird noise music and embrace a Friday night.
Openers Speedy Ortiz and local band Holophrase started the night off with a taste into progressive indie rock and industrial sounding electronics. Frontwoman of Holophrase, Malgosia Stacha, had nothing but wonderful things to share about her own experience and collaboration with group Tera Melos. “Nick, guitarist, played and co-produced or last album, so we use a lot of samples of his guitar which makes us sound cool, and Nick seems to love hearing himself all chopped up like in our songs.” Cool to know that the music of the evening all comes from a community inspired and thriving within itself. Obviously I had to ask Stacha what her favorite part of the night was, to which she responded, “It was seeing all the Tera Melos fans just completely lost in their music. I can’t forget their faces.” Hell yeah!

A bill worth seeing, musicians worth noting, in an environment that didn’t make me want to pull my hair out. 9/10

Ikey Owens of The Mars Volta with Guests | Unit E. | August 7

With Mr. Jack White spending a couple days in the Mile High City, rumors were running rampant as to secret shows he may or may not have been playing​. Wednesday all across the Twitter and Facebook universe the talk was about him showing up somewhere at sometime. One particular rumor was that he would be joining his current touring keyboardist Ikey Owens (of The Mars Volta) at Unit E. on Santa Fe.  I mean it only made sense right? As it turns out Mr. White didn't show up, but those who did show up were fortunate enough to see one hell of an impromptu jam session featuring Ikey and some very talented Denver musicians. Those who performed the all improv show are listed below.

​Malgosia Stacha of Holophrase (Photo credit Marika Garcia)

Keys- Ikey Owens (The Mars Volta)

Vocals, Synth, and Noise- Kyle Gray (Rubedo)

Vocals- Malgosia Stacha (Holophrase)

Trumpet- Wesley Watkins (Air Dubai)

Trumpet- Joshua Trinidad (Go Star)

Sax- Armando Lopez (The Ruckus)

Guitar- Alex Trujillo (Rubedo)

Bass- Enoc Torraca (Panal)

Upright Bass- Zach Antonio (Scatter Gather)

Percussion- Cody Schlueter (Abstract Collective)

Drums- Gregg Ziemba (Rubedo)

Wesley Watkins (Photo credit Marika Garcia)​

​Joshua Trinidad of Go Star (Photo credit Marika Garcia)

​Kyle Gray of Rubedo (Photo credit Marika Garcia)