Mike Patton / PIVIXKI, Bill Gould's 'Talking Book'

Flew to San francisco yesterday for a double Faith No More side-projects adventure: Mike Patton with Australian piano/drums duo PIVIXKI (Anthony Pateras and Max Kohane), and Bill Gould's newest project from his Koolarrow label, 'The Talking Book.' Managed to grab a spot near the front at the Great American Music Hall. On stage were several different keyboards, bass guitars, some old tape machines, and three old suitcases set up in a row, presumably containing laptops (though I couldn't actually tell). These would later be stationed by Gould and his cohorts.

The Talking Book was very interesting. I could definitely hear it as a film soundtrack, but hearing it in audio-only form took the listener to a totally new place. There were moments of extreme tension building sometimes into further discord, or releasing into lush harmonies, or taking off into almost tribal sounding percussive bass. It was unpredictable and satisfying. Definitely the type of music that takes you on a journey. I left feeling like I had just learned something new.

You can hear some samples of The Talking Book here: koolarrow.com/the-talking-book

I really didn’t know what to expect from Patton / PIVIXKI, but it was just the level of controlled insanity one could hope for from such a trio of accomplished musicians: Extremely frenetic (but controlled) pounding on the piano, banging drums frequently changing time signatures (Kohane even managed to break his kick drum mid-tune), and nearly the entire catalogue of Patton vocal grunts, whispers, singing, and beatboxing topped off with effects. Just when you’d think the enitre thing was about to dissolve into total chaos, they would snap together in an instant and transform the mood into yet another new form. The onstage chemistry between all three guys was intense and sometimes funny. Their energy was contagious. It looked like they were having a great time.