Manitoa, Broccoli Samurai / Jackie O's / Saturday, February 22, 2014
By Megan Fair, Copy Editor
Jackie O’s will be lifted to another plane this Saturday by acts Manitoa and the debut Athens performance of Broccoli Samurai. The two bands sport a style of rock and jamtronica designed to get you moving and change your perspective.
Broccoli Samurai may sound like a delightfully spicy veggie dish, but it is in fact a jamtronica band making its Athens debut. The band’s memorable moniker was born out of a running joke regarding Saturday Night Live’s classic “Choppin’ Broccoli” bit, and because of its ability to raise eyebrows, the group decided to keep it.
“Broccoli Samurai is energetic, fast-paced, dynamic and a dance party,” said drummer Chris Walker. With Ryan Hodson on the keys, Steve Fade manning the bass and John McCarron, the newest member of Broccoli Samurai, shredding on guitar, the foursome do their very best to keep the sound original and engage the crowd.
Their mix of improvisation and creative covers changes with every show in an effort to keep things interesting. “A lot of bands fall into redundancy with set lists, so we’re trying not to repeat anything,” said Walker. The group's set lists aren’t the only things on the horizon with novelty. “We’re about to hit the studio in the next month, said Walker “Every time we’re in the studio we improve.” While the new record won’t be out before Saturday, You Had To Be There, Broccoli Samurai’s first full-length, can prep you for the show.
Manitoa plans on brandishing their self-described “Tribal EarthDance Rocktronica” tunes to a crowd seeking enlightenment. Manitoa is all about the infinite, as keys player Collin Firestarter LetsGo said, “We believe consciousness pervades all objects and energies in the multiverse. Without consciousness this world would not exist. As such, we chose a name that encompasses all, the Great Infinite.” Thus the name Manitoa was adapted from the Native American spirit Manitou.
Manitoa, made up of bassist Edward FlipNasty McGnarls, drummer DJ Reber, guitarists Mark “Mavis” Meredith and Eric Turner and visual expert Nate Stritz, is delighted to play at Jackie O’s. The outfit loves the staff and patrons. “It feels like home to us. We love keeping it local,” said LetsGo.
While one may assume that music is all Manitoa has to offer, the band has a much loftier goal. “Our motto is that we want to raise the conscious vibration of humanity while also having a good time. We seek to recreate the ancient ritual of shamanism and the pursuit of liberation through music, dance, and self-expression,” said LetsGo, “We wish to cultivate a sense of community where everyone can come together and express themselves throughout any media they wish.”
Jackie O’s will open its doors starting at 9 p.m., and there is a cover charge of $5. If you are under 18, this show is unfortunately not an option for you, but all those of age are welcome to come and become one with the multiverse in a sea of music.
