John Biz Plays Eclectic Hometown Gig at CMJ

Posted on Oct 21st 2009 2:30PM by DJ Lanphier
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His back to the audience, John Biz fiddled with the knobs of his Gibson SG as he moved it a little closer to the amp looking for that perfect feedback sound. As if on cue, Biz turned around, smiled wryly at his hometown Brooklyn, N.Y. crowd and launched into his trademark type of scorching grunge rock anthems. The CMJ crowd at Brooklyn Bowl was dumbfounded, impressed and mesmerized by the onslaught.

You have to forgive Biz for not being a household name. Since 2003, he's been a busy man, writing, recording and self-releasing a steady stream of critically well received EP's and full albums on his Industrial Park Records label. The collection is eclectic, ambitious and impressive, and by mid-set it became immediately obvious why a legendary producer like Steve Albini (Nirvana, Cheap Trick, PJ Harvey, Pixies) would want to work with Biz and record his last two studio albums, 'The Happiest Days of My Life' (2006) and 'Vida' (2008). To put it bluntly, John Biz is raw talent personified. His musical output is a mélange of heartfelt acoustic folk, teen angst-infused power pop, old school classic rock anthems and urgent punk riffs that explode with emotional intensity and serious musicianship.

Backed up by the able rhythm work of Ween drummer Claude Coleman Jr. and the steady melodic bass playing of Ross Hendler, John Biz and band personify the music scene right now: passionate, disparate, confused, raw and extremely talented. Biz bookended the set with acoustic songs from his recent effort, the six-song EP 'Aloha,' which is comprised of outtakes from the Steve Albini-produced 'Vida' sessions. The songs have a more folksy, quiet and reflective approach that's also a little rough around the edges at times, but indicative of a new sound and direction that will be fascinating to watch evolve. Biz is certainly an artist music fans should keep an eye on.