Don't let the name fool you: The guys from Columbus music website Idiotpress.com are no dummies, and for the second time this year they're trying to prove their refined tastes in local music with a special showcase.

Headlining is Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party, which has recently had a line-up change and expansion (throwing horns into the mix of keys, theremin, guitar, bass, drums and asylum-style screaming), making their live sound that much more all over the place. Though this tea party is even madder than the one Alice attended, these post-genre noise-smiths never come off as gimmicky, despite the goofy mouthful of a name. They may change style from second to second within the same song, but they've kept from becoming a novelty act with a brutally loud sound and dead-serious attitude toward metal with multiple personality disorder. Laugh if you want, but the Yak can kick your ass without even making eye-contact. They share the bill with up-and-comers Racecar and Mobis.

-J. Caleb Mozzocco
Columbus Alive, Vol. 19, No. 30
July 25-31, 2002