MVP Events

Let Zechs Marquise Take You For a Ride

By Colin Hickey, 2-19-07

In a perfect world, my first experience of seeing the El Paso band Zechs Marquise would go something like this:  I would be going for a cocktail after work on a Wednesday night and I would hear this crazy psychedelic music coming from this seedy underground bar that I never had the balls to go into before.

The bar would be filled with smoke and people. The people aren’t watching the band because they are blend into the chaotic atmosphere.  The band is a mix of psychedelic free rawk jazz—unlike anything you’ve ever heard.  I think I just made up that term, but if the shoe fits ...  The band doesn’t have a lead singer and they don’t seem to have a set list either.  You start to think they might be making it up as they go with just an outline of an outline to work with.  Somehow you can hear them perfectly over the screaming of drink orders and conversations.  At this point, Miles Davis would see me at the entrance and invite me to his table.  We would drink bourbon all night while Miles told me stories about why he liked this band so much.  After the set Miles, would invite the band over and we would all keep drinking while Miles told us about the good ol’ days.  Perfect. 

Zechs Marquise is a five-piece psychedelic free rawk jazz band from El Paso.  The band has been around since 2003.  They’ve been compared to (Yes,) Pink Floyd and King Crimson.  Personally, they remind me of Miles Davis if he played guitar instead of the horn.  In a time where all you hear about is Emo, Screamo, Noise Rock and Garage Rawk, it’s great to see some one bring back insane psychedelic music.  Some people would call a band that has a free flowing approach to a set list a jam band.  I would punch those people in the stomach and make them watch this band. 

Check the band out for yourself by watching a song here:  Live from El Paso.  If you like what you see, you can check the band out live in Boise at the Bouquet on Feb. 21 and in Albuquerque at Burt’s Tiki Lounge on March 3.  If you are lucky, the ghost of Miles Davis just might show up. 

Colin Hickey is New West’s Events Editor keep an eye out for his “MVP Events” or check here for your own. www.NewWestEvents.net.

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