Les Rhinoceros w/ Steve Assett 6/12/12 Cafe Nine

Opener Steve played bass clarinet and theremin looked like a substitute teacher, hipster dudes on uke and standup bass, and a dead ringer for Sun Ra on percussion. Odd combination for an avant jazz group, always good to see a theremin in use. When I say Sun Ra dude on percussion, I mean percussion. This guy played an altoids box, dog squish toys, a lucky bean, all while growling into a can! Headliner Les Rhinoceros from D.C. is also on John Zorn's Tzadik label (see previous review of Many Arms). The Rhino lineup had mini-electric violin and processed samples, guitar , dubby bass, and fierce drumming. Drumming and violin were the highlight, this band sounded like Jean Luc-Ponty fronting Firehose. Beatles and Sketches of Spain tease were welcome. Rhinos were en route to a date at the out-jazz fest Suoni Per Il Popolo in Montreal late June.