From the Oct 21 – Oct 27, 2004 issue

Music

CLASSICAL, JAZZ, & AVANT

BNSF VERSUS NA

by Christopher DeLaurenti

Few bands live up to their names, but BNSF, named after the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train, defiantly do. Touting themselves as a "noise barrage trio," Adam Diller (reeds and occasional timbales), Matt Crane (drums), and Jason Anderson (guitar, electronics, and when required, portable generator), unleash a rumbling, shuddering, shambling avalanche of saxophone squalls, distorted guitar, and convulsions of laptop-treated sound catapulted by incantatory cannonades of cymbals and drums.

I've heard BNSF many times, most recently at the "Wall of Death," a poorly sited piece of public art secreted under the University Bridge. I tore a scrap of cardboard from a weathered (and, alas, empty) box of Corona nearby and scrawled "Crane stands before his drum kit as if dowsing--sheer volume transforms and envelops the surrounding acoustic space." Several months ago, I asked Crane about his unmistakably bosomy drum sound. "Old drums," he confided. "Those old drums were made of ancient hardwoods you can't get anymore."

BNSF is teaming up with Na, the trio of Noriaki Watanabe, Shinsuke Yamada, and Kazz Nomura, who sometimes wear robes or homemade hats. You may have picked up one of their free CD-Rs at Wall of Sound or Everyday Music. "We have made 1460 Copies since June.15. 2004, received 2 E-mails, and earned $0." declares the tattered insert of the na#7 Live!!!! CD-R. Na sounds like outsider singer Jandek refracted through a prism of avant jazz. They're charming, rackety, and unpredictable, which should also describe the evening's third and final set when both BNSF and Na battle it out together. CHRISTOPHER DeLAURENTI

BNSF battles Na Fri Oct 22 (CoCA, 410 Dexter Ave N, 728-1980), 8 pm, $4. Also, BNSF plays an early show Thurs Oct 21 (Living Room, 4301 Fremont Ave N), 7 pm, free.

chris@delaurenti.net

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