Infused with infectious energy

Infectious Organisms brings innovative lyrics, tenacious melodies

Becky Gabriel / staff photographer Infectious Organisms rocked the stage at Mainstreet Bar and Grill Tuesday night. From left, pianist Mike Matthews, bassist David Sunderland, drummer Will Blair, emcees Felton Martin, and Jean Kouame, and guitarist Brooke Blair, performed a memorable set. The band's sound incorporates musical elements of hip-hop, soul, classical and indie rock. Infectious Organisms is currently promoting its upcoming album Human Experience. The CD hits stores Feb. 26.

Infectious Organisms' innovative melodies and rhythms meshed with tenacious lyrics provided concert-goers untainted music in an intimate setting at Mainstreet Bar and Grill Tuesday night. The band's passion matched the concordant sounds and light and dark textures of the music, unequivocally representing what a concert should be.

Infectious Organisms brought out all the stops to entertain the crowd. From the consistent crowd involvement to emcee Jean Kouame crowd surfing, Infectious Organisms pulled off a memorable set.

Prior to the concert, members of Infectious Organisms introduced the show by stating, "Our show will bring energy and fluidity to the crowd." This intensity and fluidity transcended the group and captivated and enthralled the crowd.

The show exhibited that Infectious Organisms is beginning to accumulate a cult-like following. Mainstreet was brimming with fans taken in by a live show that captured their souls as they moved in sync with the band.

The music took the crowd to a place not bound by stereotypes and genre with a fusion of diverse elements spanning the musical spectrum. Incorporating elements from hip-hop to classical music and soul to indie rock, Infectious Organisms is a group that is ready to explode.

Junior Jacquie Mauer, attending her 14th Infectious Organisms show at Mainstreet, echoed this sentiment. "They never cease to amaze me," Mauer said. "They are constantly evolving and get to my heart with their positive message that gives me a constant reminder on how to live my life. All together they are going to be a force."

The fire of Infectious Organisms was evident from front to end in the concert. The concert began with "Medelling Cartel" and "Hall St. Cinema," two vigorous tracks off of its new CD Human Experience, available in stores Feb. 26.

An incredible segue was created by a beautiful song, "Comfort in the Swell." This completely instrumental track gave emcees Felton Martin and Kouame a brief intermission. The musical talents of guitarist Brooke Blair, drummer Will Blair, bassist Dave Sunderland and pianist Mike Matthews were completely on display. Their diffusive melodies also gave fans a brief introduction to the four members' side project, an improv band called Craig.

Matthews mixed in some humor when he came out after the band left the stage momentarily and played a rendition of Linkin Park's "In the End," complete with vocals. The hilarious version of the song by Matthews made the crowd laugh.

After the playful jab at pop music, emcees Martin and Kouame again pleased the crowd with an immaculate performance of "One" that had everyone in the crowd bouncing and singing along. Senior Jen Mullen called it "organic hip-hop that kept the crowd engaged."

Infectious Organisms' performance concluded with a poignant statement in the song "30 Seconds On Earth." Their transitions were seamless and their melodies incredible. The message illuminated, "Sometimes I'm scared that I'm too young to die/It's only human to cry/Sometimes I wonder why the days come before the months do/And when tomorrow confronts you would you be the one to let it pass on by?"

After exiting the stage, Infectious Organisms clearly had left the crowd wanting more. "We want to go as far as we can go and still have fun," Kouame said. The band appears to be on its way to reaching that goal.

Infectious Organisms formed in Richmond and began making music in 1996. The current composition of the band came about approximately three and a half years ago. More information on the band can be found at its Web site, www.infectiousorganisms.com.

The band will play this Friday, Feb. 1 at Baylees in Blacksburg with a return to Harrisonburg likely in the future. Will Blair said, "The JMU area was one of the first places we played outside of Richmond and has been very supportive."

Kouame summed up their music. "There is a different fireplace in each of us and the music comes from the heart." That fire was burning bright on stage as these future stars depicted the essence of music.