The Roots of Orchis & West By Swan

Musicians…late? Well, yes. The members of Roots of Orchis waited patiently, cruising the Web, checking equipment, and no doubt contemplating how to deal with Moxie’s tile and brick; not the most accommodating space for music. As the clock clicked dangerously close to 9 PM, West By Swan was finally ready to generate some sound and the crowd generously disregarded the hour-long delay.
The aforementioned tile and brick created an environment that was nearly unbearable for whaling electric guitars and fierce drums. A quick trip to the restroom to stuff ears with wads of toilet paper solved the problem well enough. Dave and Dan Greenfield churned out the group’s two lead guitars. Their combined energy was a beautiful thing, especially as they drifted into separate worlds, yet managed to create a unified sound. Daniel Taylor pounded out drumbeats with the kind of devoted passion you’d expect from a rock drummer. The consistent bass lines of Conrad Nystrom brought it all together, though his back was to the crowd for most of the show. The opening song contained no vocals, and was easily the strongest of the night. It may have been the complete inability to hear the vocals in subsequent songs, but it felt like this was a band whose natural state is purely instrumental. It is clear that the Greenfields have serious passion for writing guitar-driven songs that are haunting at times, though never stray too far from their rock-funk roots.
The Roots of Orchis had themselves situated a few short minutes after West By Swan vacated the stage. In front were two tables stacked with sampling equipment, turntables, and enough cable to circumnavigate Chico. Members of the crowd got on their feet to watch the mad scientists as they fondled dials and drew forth their audio chemistry. Justin Pinkerton’s skill on drums provided the foundation for the band’s cohesive sound, his face remaining passive as intricate jazz-rock beats emerged. The group relied on a lot of samples, but it didn’t detract from the experience. The rhythms were patient, ambient effects masterfully blended, and the dual-bass through much of the show created a relaxed, hypnotic vibe.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the show was watching band members trade up instruments. Jackie Musick played bass and lead guitar predominantly, but was also hunched over the tables more than once. Aaron Morgan played bass through the entire show, his body moving with its own funky groove, except for one song spent elbow-deep in electronics. Dan Lydersen handled keyboards and much of the required sampling, but he picked up the bass as well. Then there was Justin, who occasionally removed himself from the drums to scratch, a clear crowd pleaser. Everyone leaned in to watch his hands go to work on the turntable, and the smooth scratching complemented the atmospheric jazz surprisingly well.
The Roots of Orchis are on their own musical path, and witnessing their 250th live show has certainly increased my admiration for their uniquely crafted songs.

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