Sproingg

A most appreciative hello and welcome back to The Closet Concert Arena fellow progheads!  The carousel we call 2019 is moving so fast I can't believe I haven't fallen off--or at least gotten dizzy!  As usual the Concert Closet logged serious frequent flyer miles this week as the search for all things prog went all the way to Germany to check in with yet one more new member of the prog garden, Sproingg, and their self-titled debut release.

Sproingg is best described as polyrythmic prog chaos...something from every corner of the prog garden.  First listen through takes me on a journey across strange terrain; classical, jazz, metal,
avant-garde, and a bit of funk.

The opening cut, "Sugarwax Nailface," starts off seemingly as an improv piece; everyone checking the others' vibe--and then a groove catches fire.  Almost like an undisciplined King Crimson with top notes of Happy Graveyard Orchestra and Dreadnaught, the music comes at you from several directions, bouncing through your cerebrum like  a pinball.

Moving a bit farther along I discover "Homunculous Funkulous."  A percussion opening that really needs to be heard to be appreciated, this piece has hints of Flim & The BB's roaming around flirting with the Violent Femmes.  Sproingg is a band that likes to have fun while reminding you they are serious  musicians.  The simplicity and nakedness adds a level of intrigue to their sound; I imagine a stage with three lights and a broom standing in the corner while the audience hangs on every note being played.  Sproingg opens their songs with a spotlight on one member and then methodically brings the rest of the band in...like folding cheese into a sauce; the sum is so much better than the parts...

Liner Notes...originating in Freiberg Germany, Sproingg is Prudi Bruschgo on guitars, Johannes Korn on Chapman Stick and electric violin, and Erik Feder on drums and percussion.  I imagine Sproingg being the German equivalent of an American garage band much like The Foo Fighters.  Not in the way they sound--but in their approach to making music.  I would also compare them to Scarlet INside in that sound can come from anywhere and be made with (almost) anything...Jamie Muir was a driving force in this arena many moons ago...

Although Sproingg  occupies territory in the polyrhythmic/syncopated rock section of the prog garden--a section that is not overpopulated at the moment--they stand even farther off center because their sound is performance based...which gives it (to me) a bit more credibility.  The recorded music is a snapshot of their playing at that moment; the live shows are a constant interpretation of their own sound...

Next up for dissection is "The Aliens Have Landed And I'm One Of Them."  This was a song written for improvisation if I've ever heard one.  The opening percussion work hearkens of Thank You Scientist as it escorts you down a path that is equal parts eerie and giddy.  The guitar floats in slowly surrounded by a chorus of other-worldly images that capture the imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat.  Top notes of Ozric Tentacles and Thrak-era King Crimson are filling my headphones at the moment; excuse me while I sit back and savor the moment...

Take in the full Sproingg experience at their  Facebook page and purchase the music at Sproingg.

This week I bring you a taste from the well; "No Place For Children" and "Krummfutter."  Sproingg  falls into a subgenre of prog I like to call minimalist because they do a lot with so little.  Three musicians are behind the curtain here and the imagery is quite vivid.  The sound rolls down the inside of your auditory sensors like warm fudge...slow and steady as you begin to realize how wonderful it all really is.  As one song bleeds into the next I get a Can meets The League of Gentlemen vibe; just dim the lights and let it wash over you...


                   

So my fellow progheads I hope you enjoyed this week's installment.  On the one hand Sproingg is not your dad's prog band--but on the other hand they absolutely spot on are.  As new bands continue to emerge in the prog garden it is refreshing to know they can draw on the standard bearers without being carbon copies.  Hell; Sproingg can't produce an exact replica of their own sound let alone someone else's.  And therein lies the beauty of prog; the ability to grow your own sound and style continually and not be boxed in.

This was a fun week for me but as always, all good things lead to other good things.  So time for the Concert Closet to take the search for all things prog onward yet again.  Until next time...