With hip-hop, punk, and even some of the lighter strains of metal flowing into the cultural mainstream, what is the last refuge of the musical renegade? Would you believe something as nerdy and old-fashioned as the marching band? Today’s activist brass bands and anarchic percussion ensembles owe more to the folk music of Latin America, the Balkans, and New Orleans than John Philip Sousa—though they might dress in tattered takes on Sousa’s military regalia.
Extraordinary Rendition’ lived up to its name, performing completely new renditions of marching band favorites.
And taking the prize for farthest from home was Extraordinary Rendition Band all the way from Providence. Aptly named, this group plays all ranges … Lively and animated, these cats like to boogie.
An exclamation performance point was provided when the 15-member Extraordinary Rendition Band, a street band of horns, reeds, and percussion from Providence, emerged from the woods to merge their disparate parts into a joyous, raucous sound that roused the crowd into spontaneous applause and motion.
Comprised of musicians of all backgrounds, ERB is a guerilla-style band that’s as well known for its red, white and gold uniforms as it is for its “music bombs,” flash mob style performances in which the roving musicians appear at event or bar, play few songs then leave.
