4/21/2003 11:44:00 AM|W|P|Danny Eagle|W|P| Drum n' bass traveled far from its UK roots to the land of the free last night, possibly as a refugee, or maybe because there's still hope alive that Americans will learn to relish the form in growing numbers while English listeners turn their attention to Garage and other forms of renegade dance music. The likes of Roni Size and Adam F have tapped into American talent hoping to bridge the cultural divide and recruit some hip hop fans into the dark legions of Jungle music. They've had limited success, and if nothing else, have given birth to a long-term fan base Stateside, fiercely loyal and completely different from other deciples of DJ sounds. Like the punk rock of dance music, drum n' bass lives on in small clubs on odd nights showcasing heroes unknown to most outside of the subculture. Last night was no different as drum n' bass icons Lemon D and Dillinja decimated a crowd of adoring fans with notoriously aggressive and dark basslines. Lemon D and Dillinja, both DJs and Producers cut their teeth making records for various labels, the most notable being Goldie's Metalheadz label. Dillinja received some mainstream recognition with his legendary remix of Bjork's "Cover Me" on her album Telegram. Studio managers and sound engineers refer to Dillinja as a "tough customer" for literally breaking expensive recording equipment to force the most sound from it. A wall of speakers faced me as I walked in the club, I realized it might be the last thing I ever hear. The sounds were almost indescribable. Like a giant train wreck set to perfectly rhythmic drums. A mix of sharply industrial sounds contrasted with deep bass and juicy vocal samples got people moving in every part of the venue; people ordering drinks, people going pee in the bathroom, and people like me who were shitting their pants. It sounded like technology gone completely and perfectly awry. It gave me goosebumps and at the height of one of the songs, Lemon D literally smacked the needle off the record as he brought the crowd to thunderous fist pumping applause. Appropriate for a show on Easter Sunday, Lemon D and Dillinja resurrected hope that drum n' bass would not only live to see another day in the US, but it might win the hearts and minds of those in search of the most raw and uncut sound to date.|W|P|200177601|W|P|Lemon D and Dillinja | Axis, Boston|W|P|scottlmoe@gmail.com4/18/2003 03:30:00 PM|W|P|Danny Eagle|W|P| Still spearheading the charge for car commercial-friendly beats, Groove Armada rolled into town and delivered a fairly predictable show, much to the ignorant bliss of the general audience. Most noted for the Fatboy Slim remix of their single "I See You Baby" and their dominance of UK charts over three years ago, the duo consisting of Tom Findlay and Andy Cato demonstrated how a production duo takes their studio music to the stage. With the help of live percussion, a soulful vocalist, and a hippie drummer the pasty white brains behind the group was infused with a little bit of soul authenticity. It's a format that is well-received by those who like their beats man-made but don't like standing in a giant crowd to watch one guy study his turntables. As a result, it's been the standard for the live shows of groups like Thievery Corporation and Basement Jaxx. Unfortunately, it wasn't either of those groups that was on stage. The music sounded dated and rarely got my ass shakin'. It failed to challenge me with the new ideas and innovative sounds that supposedly made them famous. Hearing a tinge of dub influence, my ears perked, just before the song fell victim to cheesy hip hop beats. I had a better time listening to the ice cubes being dropped into my drink at the bar. With the exception of the video work, consisting of two laptops and a video mixer, and the savage hippie percussionist, the show left me wondering where else I could have spent 17 bucks. Hmm... 17 bucks.|W|P|200168137|W|P|Groove Armada | Paradise Rock Club, Boston|W|P|scottlmoe@gmail.com