September 25–October 2, 1997

six pick

Krakatoa

Many splinter bands just don't measure up to their predecessors. But Krakatoa, a four-piece that erupted from the ruins of Philly's theatrical burlesque/rock outfit The Lost Art of Puppet Orchestra, fills the void quite nicely. Lost Art bassist Ted Casterline and keyboardist Val Opielski reprise their roles, violinist Glendon Jones switches to guitar, and Jay Horvath, new to the fold, keeps time. "It's a whole new sound, but there are some similarities to the old stuff," says Jones. However, where Lost Art's music shared the stage with odd-ball puppetry, Krakatoa is front and center, their songs more incisive. The music embodies Lost Art's sense of skewed whimsy and relies heavily on fleeting moments of musical irony. Named after the largest seismic event on record, the band actually has little to do with big explosions, but rather specializes in heady turns, deft twists and sly winks to ancient musical forms (medieval minstrel, fugue) and more contemporary ones (ska, fusion).

Sat., Sept. 27, Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 928-8118.

—Brian Howard