Disco Biscuits Thursday at Cain's

When a band sports a name like The Disco Biscuits, it’s fairly easy to guess where its members are coming from: quirky, ironic, perhaps a bit on the electronic side, and self-consciously indie.  That turns out to be more or less accurate with the Philadelphia-based quartet to be rocking Cain’s Ballroom with their unique brand of electronic jam band music Thursday night.

The Biscuits, who are known for combining various rock, classical and jazz elements, in addition to extending songs into ten-, twenty-, and even thirty-minute jam sessions, are distinguished from many of their jam band peers in one way:  they’re not afraid to use some electronic effects to keep things interesting—hence the “Disco” part of the name.

The group, which consists of guitarist Jon Gutwillig, bassist Marc Brownstein, drummer Allen Aucoin, and keyboardist Aron Magner, perform complex, improvisation-oriented numbers—often backwards or inside-out—that meander from pop/rock songs to jazzy experimentations to techno breakdowns. The group has been active since 1995, and has successfully made a name for itself in the jam band and electronic underground scenes—going so far as to found “Camp Bisco,” an annual music festival that has featured a wide swath of artists including Snoop Dogg, STS9, Thievery Corporation, Umphrey’s McGee and The Roots. With such a wide range of musical affinities, it should come as no surprise that the Biscuits are planning to release a new album that will be roughly divided between rock- and hip-hop-oriented tracks.  In other words, nearly fifteen years into the game, the Biscuits are still trying new things and keeping their sound fresh—so if you’re looking to hear challenging, mind-expanding music, Cain’s is the place to be this Thursday.

The Disco Biscuits will play Cain’s with special guests Montu February 5. Click here for tickets.

About the author:

Luke Harrington is a freelance entertainment critic whose work appears regularly in Tulsa Today and at MovieZeal.com. Contact him at luke.t.harrington@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .