Gig Review: TAAQ @ B-Flat

 The Bangalore boys were back in town after their 55-show tour to wrap up what started out a few weeks ago. Thermal and a Quarter (TAAQ) closed their recent extensive tour with a set of 3 night back-to-back performances at B-flat. Considering how long this band has been on the circuit, one always expects a super show. Last night’s gig met all the usual expectations from TAAQ.

Enter Heavy Riff

 While the show did start much later than scheduled thanks to the band’s additional commitment at another place, the set up was quick and they wasted no time in between songs. Being a budding guitar player, I’m always fascinated by the amount of equipment Bruce Lee Mani uses. But they’re all just there to add different colours to his playing. The evening was a blend of some of the old and the new material from the somewhat extensive catalog of TAAQ. This included songs like Someone Like Me, In the Middle, Holy Jose, Hot Day and more. They also played their version of the Nirvana classic In Bloom.

Bruce's Arsenal

Rajeev was immaculate on drums (as always) and did a rather cool drum bit with the song Fly. I recollect seeing the band about a year ago when Leslie Charles was brought on to handle bass responsibilities. While he seemed a little nervous at the start, and at a subsequent show I saw later on, he seems to have settled into his role really well. I do hope he can bring a little more groove to the band on future albums and gigs, not just as a bass player, but as a back up vocalist too.

Rajeev on Drums

The band played some of the songs from their recent Three Wheels Nine Lives album which included If Them Blues, Who Do We Have Sex With and a rather interesting organ (using the guitar) start to Grab Me. The audience was also treated to a fabulous performance of the TAAQ’s classic- Jupiter Café. The one song that did stand out in the evening was Bruce’s solo rendition of The Beatles hit In My Life. Respect man…total respect!

Leslie on Bass

Bruce Lee Mani

Bruce Lee Mani was at his usual best keeping the crowd entertained between songs about jokes of Roland from Poland (you had to be there to get it) and people coming from ‘native’ and going to ‘foreign’. I however don’t understand why he kept reminding us that it was Monday the next day and we had the day job thing to attend.

Playing Jupiter Cafe

The Guiding Star aka the set list

It was a super fun evening with a rather intimate gathering of fewer than 50 people. And B-flat has the sort of stage that if worked correctly by the band, can have everyone grooving. And TAAQ’s experience showed. I look forward to their gig at NH7 Weekender in Bangalore which should be a totally different experience.