On Tuesday night, EOTO performed a raging improvised set at the jam-packed Scarlet and Gray Cafe on North High Street. The band includes former String Cheese Incident band members Jason Hann and Michael Travis.
Hann played a traditional drum set, while Travis used sample pads, mixing boards, looping stations, congas, mixing boards, laptops and synthesizers. The crowd danced into the wee hours of the night to “Dirty House Grooves,” creating a rave-like atmosphere.
Nothing EOTO (pronounced “E-oh-toe,”) played was pre-recorded, pre-rehearsed, pre-looped, or pre-planned; they improvised everything, making their show unique.
The improvised beats created by Hann and the musicianship by Travis on the bass, guitar and keyboards created an energetic mood.
Around 3 a.m., after playing hours of spontaneous music, the crowd began to chant “dirty,” requesting that EOTO continue playing dance beats. EOTO agreed and produced an enjoyable anchor for the show.
After the anchor, Hann and Travis shook hands, hugged and mingled with fans.
For fans of the former String Cheese Incident, there are other side projects out there featuring former members, such as Bill Nershi’s bluegrass band Honkytonk Homeslice.
As enjoyable as EOTO is, perhaps there is hope of the String Cheese Incident uniting once again. After all, Phish is getting back together.
Belinda Heiman can be reached at [email protected].
