THE MANTRAS/DOPAPOD Greensboro quintet The Mantras’ P-Funk chops and cred are unimpeachable, having supported George Clinton’s crew. Weeding out their early Zappa fixation, The Mantras mine metal, middle eastern and jazz-rock in a mix that’s more ’70s fusion than ’90s jam band. Pumping popping bass, crisp percussion and crunchy guitar accents add up to the usual magpie’s cache of influences. What’s more surprising is the hint of minor key Factory Records-style angular funk that seeps into their compositions. Tour-and sonic soul-mates Dopapod work a similar vein, with a more pronounced tilt to classic rock. Add a touch of the oozing neo-psychedelia of Ozric Tentacles to their sound, and you’ve got the aural equivalent of a liquid light show. With unapologetic jazz rock fusionaires Kung Fu. $10. Visulite Theatre.
This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 5, 2012.
