Scenic Byway, Scumbudz @ Urban Lounge, Nov. 6, 2020

This week, after hosting a series of outdoor concerts through the latter part of summer, S&S Presents reintroduced indoor concerts at the Urban Lounge, Metro Music Hall and Kilby Court. I was happy to see the trip hop band Scenic Byway scheduled to play this first week at the Urban Lounge. I had been following the band for a few months and the band was also featured in a recent Song Pick of the Week post.

We rolled into the Urban Lounge just in time to catch most of the set from the opening act—a three-piece Psychedelic-Reggae-Rock band called Skumbudz. The band was a last minute add for the show, and I had missed the intro, so I had no idea who they were when I walked in. I did however recognize the song “Take a Stand,” from a local music Spotify playlist I follow.

The crowd was into it and the Budz played solid set with a lot of playfulness an good energy. Learn more about Skumbudz on their Facebook page.

By the way, I learned the Urban Lounge staff are serious about keeping everyone safe for these indoor shows during the pandemic. At one point during the show, I stepped a few feet away from my table to greet a friend and the bartender politely caught my eye and motioned for me to pull my mask up.

The normally sparse Urban was furnished with socially-distanced table setups and attendees were required to purchase the entire table to attend. Total occupation was reduced in half and everyone was required to wear masks—except when seated.

Anyhow, prior to their set, I had a chance to talk briefly with Scenic Byway guitarist Dave Crespo and lead vocalist/synth player Tyler Reese. I learned the band would be playing without bassist Sergio Marticorina, which betrayed the calm confidence both were exhibiting.

Sure enough, when Scenic Byway took the stage, they created a sound that didn’t seem like it was missing anything. Between Reese’s seamless midi triggering and live play, Crespos space-filling guitar and drummer Micah Aldredge’s creative style, the band created a full and rich sound.

Sure, there would have been more energy with Marticorina, who is an animated performer, but the sound was not compromised. Even the one dude who was trance dancing the entire set didn’t seem to mind.

Scenic Byway has gone through a significant change in lineup and sound over the years. Fans of the last lineup  will not be displeased as the band still performs some of the older material. According to Crespo, the band still performs songs like “Frank Grimes” off the 2015 release “Hydoplaning.”

The attendance was decent for a pandemic era show which was cool, becasue I prefer a small crowd that is really into the music, over a larger, disconnected one.

Watch for the next live Scenic Byway show and plan to check them out.  Check out S&S Presents for upcoming shows at the Urban Lounre, Metro Music Hall and Kilby Court.