Our first review in "The Noise" Issue #258 January 2006
SLOW MOTION DRIVER
Harpers Ferry
Allston, MA
12/05/05
Monday nights often don't translate into big crowds at local clubs. It's even harder when the only other local band on the bill cancels at the last minute.
In the face of opposition, Slow Motion Driver, led by Brent Barlow on vocals and electric piano, pulls it together to dazzle the lucky band of onlookers and provide an unbelievable performance.
From the start Brent engages the crowd like a true professional, flanking him are equally talented Tom Lada on bass, Liam Bliven on guitars, and Bill Anderson on skins.
Like typical prog-rock veterans, they've done their homework on Dreamtheater and mastered their chops to the point where they make even the most unforgiving Berklee professor proud.
They throw in a dead-on version of Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" which gives Brent's voice a chance to soar in the atmosphere along with Freddie Mercury and sends Liam's fingers darting
up and down the fretboard like a schizophrenic spider. Its fun rock 'n' roll and me and my friends for one reason or another can't help from smiling.
(Kier Byrnes)