We’re so happy to welcome back our friends with Asian Improv aRts Midwest as they present post-grunge band Maxwell-Thomas from Chicago and the return of Tatsu Aoki’s Bass Dreams minus B! Music at 8pm.
Maxwell-Thomas
Maxwell-Thomas is a post-grunge, alternative rock collective led by songwriter, Stephen Mortensen. From its debut release in 2010, the 6-song EP, “The Ghosts I’ve Touched” to 2021’s full album, “Daisuki Baby,” Maxwell-Thomas has had numerous friends and collaborators touch its music. In 2022, the band finds its current line up energized by the eclectic drum stylings of Jun Takanarita, the dirty guitar slinging of Quinn Dean, and the pounding, pulsating rhythms of bassist, Tim Schiltz. Motivated by one passion, the desire to rock, Maxwell-Thomas finds itself at a career-peak as the group perfects an all killer, no filler set list. Taking inspiration from artists like Foo Fighters, the Pillows, and even iconic video game soundtracks such as “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” and “Persona 5,” Maxwell-Thomas is intent on delivering a performance that is tight, polished, and brimming with electricity. Stream Maxwell-Thomas anywhere you find digital music. Search “Mistreat Me” or “Scattered” to hear fan favorites.
Bass Dreams minus B
Tatsu Aoki...The MIYUMI Project mastermind has composed jazz orchestral suites about the Asian immigrant experience in the US; performed and recorded with a host of legendary Chicago AACM musicians - Fred Anderson, Malachi Favors, Roscoe Mitchell on the short list; been commissioned by Yoko Ono to bless her SKYLANDING installation with music; worked for decades to help make the Asian American jazz and improv scene a ThingBass Dreams minus B (get it?) is a group helmed by Aoki on Asuka Bass (it's the Asuka bass because it's autographed by recently dethroned WWE champ Asuka), with Charles Rumback on drums, and the brain-boggling duo of Rami Atassi and Terry Tanaka on electric guitars. Where did it come from? "Bass Dreams minus B was inspired by all my favorite bassists and wrestlers," Aoki, master of understatement, explains. Specifically: “My top five Dee Murray, Kenny Gradney, Tiran Porter, John Paul Jones, and Malachi Favors !!!!” It's the dream of the bass player - dial up the groove, lock it in, and then have two master shredders fill every pocket. Not just the hip pockets and the breast pockets - pockets you can't see - inside pockets, surprise back pockets, lapel pockets. Every gap spied and excavated for maximum satisfaction.
We’re talking jamz, with a z. I was on it being like a 70s private press thing, fusion with a psychedelic hand drawn cover and lots of ringwear, but Tatsu set me straight. I had to head down to the local vinyl hole (shout out to Val’s Halla!) and pick up Little Feat’s live album, Waiting for Columbus (Tatsu said it’s “notorious”). Now I get it. Steal yr freakin face man. Tatsu’s been chasing this flow for decades, a swirly dream come true, not a B to be found but the boogie in your butt.
--Matt Pakulski, FPE Records, 2021.
Evening lineup:
8PM Bass Dreams minus B
9PM Maxwell-Thomas
$15 - Tickets Available at the Door