ZECHS MARQUISE

Zechs Marquise performed at Antone’s in Austin, Texas on Friday, Nov 9th, 2011. Opening up for the prog-rock outfit were locals Parking and Equals…

…Zechs Marquise is like the Japanese anime character they are named after: unpredictable and unrelenting in their lightning-fast transitions between funked-out interludes and psychedelic rock passages. Rodriguez-Lopez brothers Marcel, Marfred and Rikardo provide otherworldly drums, bass and synths, while guitarists Marcos Smith and Matthew Wilkson (who RX Bandits guitarist Steve Choi is temporarily filling in for) provide luscious, Santana-laced riffs, creating a concoction that would be the result of a one-night stand between late hip hop producer J. Dilla and prog-rock Godfathers Pink Floyd.

.. The crowd moved closer to the stage as soon as Zechs Marquise took to it. The band immediately went into their set, playing songs off of their latest release, Getting Paid. Starting off with “Lock Jaw Night Vision,” the group’s psychedelic rollercoaster had taken off, and there was no turning back. What is most fascinating about this collective is how they function independently from one another. Marcel is like the acid-trip equivalent to Buddy Rich; he leads the group with an assortment of rhythmical alterations and pulsating hits, with the rest of the band following in suit. From the fan-favorite “Guajira” and its laid-back groove, to the soulful, latin-tinged “Crushin’ It,” the band feeds off of structured spontaneity, unflinching in the face of near chaos. We were petrified. At times it would seem as if the band were about to fall off the edge into an abyss of destruction, but they never did.

If there was any moment that epitomized Zechs Marquise’s performance, it would be album opener “Getting Paid.” Starting off with claps, the band directed us with hands held high in the air, an array of hands swinging in various directions as we all clapped in unison like a church congregation feeling some supernatural spirit. The feeling was indescribable - feeding off of our energy, the group soared through “Getting Paid,” and ended their psychedelic journey with “Mega Slap.”

The El Paso-native Zechs Marquise are very well on their way to prog-rock notoriety. They acknowledge the greats like that of King Crimson and Led Zeppelin, while incorporating hip hop influences that nod admiringly to Wu-Tang Clan and Outkast. Although it has been a long and challenging road for the group, Zechs Marquise’s turnout on Friday night is a testament that the band is finally getting paid.

FULL SHOW REVIEW